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GAC expands operations in Germany
GAC Germany, a leading provider of shipping and logistics services in Northern Europe, is set to open a new office in Stade on 1 January 2024 as the company looks to expand its presence in the region to meet growing demand for services to support Germany’s shipping and energy sectors.
With direct access to the North Sea, the Port of Stade is the third-largest port in Niedersachsen by cargo handling volume and is situated on the River Elbe, between Hamburg – the home of GAC Germany’s main office – and Cuxhaven. Due to its non-tidal access for ocean-going vessels, it has long been a popular port of choice for dry bulk, barge and general cargo vessels, handling 1,000 port calls and 5.6 million tonnes of cargo in 2022.
The port is also set to play a major role in Germany’s quest to increase LNG import capacity as it is positioned to serve the Hanseatic Energy Hub, a future-flexible LNG terminal that is currently under development.
With the launch of the new office, GAC Germany will be strategically positioned to serve both existing dry bulk customers, liquid bulk customers and future gas carrier clients at Stade, offering a range of ship agency and logistics services. GAC’s office in Stade will be run by Ronald Kleinitzke, a shipping industry veteran of more than 20 years of experience who has a wealth of knowledge of Stade, the local region and surrounding ports.
“With the growth of LNG infrastructure progressing apace in Germany, it is strategically imperative for us to be present in Stade,” says Thies Holm, General Manager of GAC Germany. “We have supported LNG carriers in the region with ship agency services for a number of years but we believe that the time is right for us to establish a permanent base alongside the land-based terminal to extend our industry-leading ship agency services as Germany’s LNG capacity expands.
“We are committed to supporting our ship owner and ship management customers wherever they go. With significantly more vessels set to call at Stade and the surrounding area, we will now be better placed to serve them in true GAC style,” he added.