The GAC Group is now operational in Maputo, Mozambique, with a second office to follow in Beira.

The global shipping, logistics and marine services provider's focus will be on supporting the country's rapidly growing oil and gas, mining and energy supply industries. Oil drilling offshore Mozambique is due to start in three blocks next year, as is construction of the new Maputo refinery.

'The global energy market figures prominently on our corporate radar, so expanding into Mozambique is a natural strategic progression,' explains Erland Ebbersten, GAC's Regional Director. 'Increasing bulk cargoes volumes coming through Maputo due to regional port congestion and the country's fledgling coal industry will add up to a busy 2009 and beyond for Mozambique. GAC is now there to support the country's infrastructure development and establish Mozambique ports as crucial gateways to the landlocked economies of southern Africa.'

GAC

The opening of GAC Mozambique comes hot on the heels of the Group's latest new African operation, in Algeria.

GAC Mozambique provides ship owners with offshore support and supply assistance as well as a full range of ship agency services and dry bulk expertise. This is supplemented by a full range of logistics services including air, sea, road and rail freight, ship spares and project cargo logistics, customs clearance and bonded warehousing.

'With more than 300 offices, 8000 people and 100 languages spoken worldwide, the GAC Group has a truly global presence,' says Joao Oliveira, General Manager of GAC Mozambique. 'Our team has more than 50 years of shipping and logistics experience, providing the local knowledge on which the ability to meet our customers' needs depends. This, coupled with GAC's reliability, efficiency and integrity, makes GAC the perfect partner in Mozambique.'