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2024 has a been a year of continued disruption and challenges for the maritime and logistics sectors.
From ongoing geopolitical tensions and fluctuating energy costs to global port congestion and droughts impacting the Panama Canal, the past 12 months has put a number of hurdles in the path of the global supply chain as it continues to seek stability and operational efficiency.
It has been a year when industry players have had to be agile and flexible to adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of the world. And that has led to a greater demand for tailored services across shipping, logistics, marine and energy projects from providers like GAC.
“While it has been a turbulent year in many ways around the world, GAC has remained as a stable partner putting our customers first and helping them to navigate complex challenges throughout 2024,” says GAC Group President Pontus Fredriksson.
“And that is thanks to the dedication and steadfastness of our teams around the world that have worked tirelessly to ensure we remain a key player in the global supply chain.”
Expanding horizons
As GAC provided stability to our customers, the Group did not simply stand still.
In 2024, we welcomed the opening and expansion of new operations around the world to provide the integrated shipping and logistics support, knowledge, skills and capabilities GAC is known for.
The year started with the launch of our new office at the Port of Stade in Germany.
The port is vital to the growing needs of Europe’s energy sector and Germany’s quest to become an LNG powerhouse, and GAC has established a strong presence there to provide tailored ship agency and logistics services to gas carriers accessing this burgeoning market.
We also launched our very first office in South Korea, in Seoul. GAC’s presence there further strengthens our regional coverage and recognises the huge significance of the country’s shipping market, which accounts for more than 10% of global maritime trade.
GAC also boosted its presence in several key markets. This includes expanding our presence in New Zealand with the acquisition of Quadrant Pacific to provide the very best shipping, logistics and marine services in Australasia. Meanwhile, we strengthened our presence in Malaysia to boost our logistics services in the east of the country as the nation claims its part in the global supply chain and the regional energy market.
“Our expansions in Asia this year showcase our focus on enhancing our capabilities and presence in markets where our customers need us the most,” says Daniel Nordberg, GAC’s Group Vice President – Asia Pacific & Indian Subcontinent.
“Such strategic decisions solidify our position as a leading provider of comprehensive shipping solutions across the continent.”
Finally, GAC Spain expanded to the Port of Huelva to support Europe’s growing shipping and energy market. In just two short years, GAC Spain has become a major player in a vital maritime gateway.
Celebrating success
GAC has had several causes for celebration this year. GAC India won several key awards in 2024, including Ship Agency of the Year at the ShipTek International Awards and Best International Cruise Port Agent at the 2024 Aqua Cruise & Maritime Tourism Awards.
Meanwhile, GAC’s teams in the Middle East and India all played a vital role in the company being named Ship Agency of the Year for sixth time in The Maritime Standard Awards 2024.
We also celebrated our heritage and global reach as part of the official welcome for the first State Visit of Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf to Singapore. The links between the two small but powerful nations underlined our Scandinavian roots as well as our position in one of the world’s most important maritime centre.
Sofie Bager, GAC Singapore’s Managing Director, says: “We are proud of our continued contribution to Singapore, but we never forget our origins. Sweden’s commitment to innovation and high-quality operational standards in global shipping and logistics is reflected in the culture we see in Singapore every day. These same standards drive GAC’s dedication to supporting its customers, be it in Singapore, Sweden or anywhere else in the world.”
Future proofing through innovation
As ports and the global supply chain evolve, so too must the companies that serve them. GAC is taking a strategic approach to implementing its digital transformation.
“We know you can’t just provide a digital tool without considering the human element,” he says. “Both are essential to ensuring future success for us and our customers, so real value comes from combining the two.”
By embracing technology to improve informed communication on port regulations or weather conditions, GAC will be better placed to provide greater services and certainty to vessels and crews docking at ports at the more than 50 countries we serve worldwide.
That approach is also being applied to global logistics – and in particular the growing e-commerce sector - with technology to provide transparency and efficiency.
To that end, GAC has invested in warehouse and transportation management systems, RFID sensors, data analytics, automation and more. Advanced inventory management tools are fully integrated with customers’ systems, providing clear lines of communication and visibility throughout the supply chain. They allow GAC to offer data-driven insights, ensuring that every step of the logistics process is optimised for speed and accuracy.
Looking forward
As we look ahead of 2025, we can expect the global shipping and logistics sectors to face more challenges and hurdles, including new emissions regulations as Europe strives to decarbonise its ports and the wider maritime sector, and growing demand for technological advances to boost operational efficiency and real-time visibility.
“As we welcome the new year, GAC remains committed to providing the very best services to our customers around the world,” says Pontus Fredriksson.
“Our global teams of industry experts continue to put our customers first, providing them with the highest standards of support to help them navigate whatever challenges and opportunities the coming year may bring.”
