THE SHETLAND arm of global shipping & logistics firm GAC is to handle customs clearance for all vessels visiting Lerwick for this summer’s Tall Ships Races as one of the event’s sponsors.
GAC Shetland, the islands’ longest-established shipping agency, is offering the vital service as an in-kind sponsor for the four-day event this July.
GAC Shetland is part of GAC UK and GAC Group - a privately-owned company specialising in the delivery of high-quality shipping, logistics and marine services to customers worldwide. Its services include ship agency, freight forwarding, project logistics, customs clearance and advice, ship spares, and bunker fuels.
The company, which employs over 7,500 people in 300 locations around the globe, has deep roots in Shetland. Its operation dates back to the nineteenth century foundation of Hay & Company, which was taken over by OBC in the early 2000s and then by GAC in 2007.
GAC’s UK and Norwegian operations have a long-standing relationship with Norwegian vessel the Statsraad Lehmkhul, a regular visitor to Shetland. It handles port call logistics whenever the sail training ship visits Lerwick and recently supported The One Ocean Expedition, a 20-month circumnavigation of the globe.
Shetland Tall Ships Ltd project manager Emma Miller said the support provided by GAC was “really important to us as it will ensure the arrivals process for the visiting fleet is easy and seamless”.
“We want to extend a very warm welcome to the ships and ensuring the necessary paperwork is all in order is essential to that. GAC staff have the knowledge and experience to do this and we’re very grateful to have them involved.”
GAC UK general manager Adrian Henry said: “The Shetland team is extremely proud to be supporting the Tall Ships Races to help showcase what our wonderful islands can offer.
“We were keen to sponsor this event as a key player in the Shetland maritime industry that provides round the clock support to the shipping sector 365 days a year.
“We are committed to involving ourselves in what’s going on locally, which is evident in our positive relationships with local suppliers, ports and the tight-knit Shetland shipping community