The agreement covers BG’s LNGCs, crude oil and LPG shipments to accommodate the group’s expanding cargo range.
The new five-year contract took effect on 1st January with GAC providing hub and ship agency services and a range of other services covering the movement of BG’s cargoes around the world.
Kumar Ganesan, GAC Global Hub Services’ general manager co-ordinated the negotiations along with Bob Bandos, managing director of GAC Shipping USA. Bandos had first established the relationship with BG Group in 2001.
In another move, GAC’s Global Hub Services (GHS) has been awarded three certificates after successfully completing independent integrated audits by DNV GL.
GHS was awarded the ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certificates for its port call and disbursement account management services. Together, they form the Integrated Management System accreditation, given to firms that have unified their business process for increased competitiveness, efficiency and profit.
GHS first achieved the ISO 9001:2008 certification for its quality management systems in 2005 and has been successfully re-accredited in the latest round of DNV GL audits. GHS has also been awarded the OHSAS 18001:2007 certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and the ISO 14001:2004 accreditation for its Environmental Management Systems.
Meanwhile, GAC North America - Logistics has been awarded a license to operate as a Foreign Trade Zone in Houston, making it one of just two logistics companies in the city to meet the criteria required to operate such a special facility.
Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) are secure areas under the supervision of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), designed to encourage foreign commerce. They are considered to be outside the US customs territory with regards to the payment of duty.
GAC acts as a broker for its clients using the facility, taking care of all the documentation, maintaining an inventory of materials and handling export once the goods are required.