GAC has set up a new office in Kaohsiung, Taiwan to cater to the growing demand for ship agency services in the country.

Since entering the Taiwanese market in 1999, GAC’s prime focus has been on its mainstay logistics business, and it has worked with local partners to provide ship agency services. Growing demand in recent years, however, prompted the establishment of another GAC office close to Kaohsiung Port, the country’s largest international harbour. The new office complements the main office in Taipei and serves as a base for the company’s ship agency services in Taiwan.

Kenny So, GAC Taiwan’s Managing Director, notes that the location of the office was carefully selected in view of the fact that Kaohsiung is on key American, European and Asian navigation routes, making it an important gateway and cargo hub for Taiwan’s imports and exports.

GAC’s Group Vice President for Asia Pacific and Indian Subcontinent, Lars Bergström, says the opening of the office is timely, reflecting the symbiotic relationship between freight and shipping business: “GAC has a strong track record in the local freight market and several Taiwanese bulk shipping vessels are our existing ship spares customers. Our competitive advantage lies in our ability to provide integrated logistics and shipping services to customers who prefer a single point of contact. Establishing our own shipping operation to complement our logistics offering is a logical and strategic move.”

He is optimistic that, as well as serving existing clientele, the new office will put GAC in a good position to respond to increasing demand for GAC’s shipping services in Taiwan expected as a result of the country’s growing cruise sector.

“Taiwan is the third largest cruise market in Asia and there are government plans to attract more cruise liners to call at its ports,” he says. “This bodes well for GAC’s shipping services.”