GAC Pindar celebrates GAC-owned office now open in Panama
by GAC Pindar 23 Oct 2018 07:00 UTC
A motor yacht in the Panama Canal © GAC Pindar
Superyachts and yachts transiting the Panama Canal can now do so with the assurance of the quality service synonymous with GAC, after the Group opened its own company in the country. It's an extension of the promise of tailored support for the sector made by the Group's marine sport, leisure and events specialist, GAC Pindar.
The new Panama company is part of the Group's growth strategy across the Americas. Vessels passing through the Canal or calling at the country's port under GAC Pindar's care will benefit from a wide range of shipping services including traditional ship agency, specialised husbandry, ship spares delivery, crew matters and repairs to vessels. Previously, GAC used a network agent for vessels in Panama.
General Manager, Jeremy Troughton, says: "Superyacht management companies and captains benefit greatly from the expertise and local knowledge available within GAC Group and the opening of GAC Panama is a welcome development to servicing the needs of this sector."
The Panama Canal links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, enabling yachts to save time and money by avoiding the long trip round South America.
Bob Bandos, GAC's Group Vice President – Americas, says: "As a global ship agency, GAC has a growing base of customers and prospects utilising the Panama Canal, so it was imperative to set up our own office here. Our expansion into Panama reaffirms the Group's long-term commitment and investment in the Americas region. We are confident that Panama will be an important contribution to our global network as well as to our local customers."
Panama's strategic location and having the U.S. as its most important trading partner make it a natural extension of GAC in the Americas region. The Panama office will provide a suite of services including traditional ship agency, specialized husbandry, ship spares delivery, crew matters and repairs.
Heading up the GAC Panama operations is Alexei Oduber, a 27-year industry veteran well versed in all aspects of the shipping industry as well as freight forwarding in the Panama Canal.
"GAC Panama is ready to provide our customers with the same high level of expertise and ethics GAC is known for worldwide. I look forward to tapping into my years of experience and contacts to meet our customer's needs, foresee their requests and offer cost effective solutions," Oduber says.