Dubai / Emirates Business
Global shipping, logistics and marine services provider GAC announced an exclusive partnership between its bunker fuels trading arm GAC Bunker Fuels (GBFL) and ENOC Global Marine.
Under the agreement, which was announced during the Posidonia international shipping event in Athens, GBFL has been appointed as ENOC’s exclusive sales agent and distributor, for marine lubricants in South Africa.
The deal marks the first time GBFL has been appointed to provide sales and distribution for a lubricants manufacturer, on the strength of the GAC Group’s extensive logistics expertise, strong agency network and experienced bunker fuels team. GAC also has longstanding relationships with marine spare parts buyers who work with clients who also have bunker fuels needs. All logistics work and inventory management services will be handled by GAC Marine Logistics (GML), with GAC Dubai arranging lubricant freight from the UAE to the South African port of Durban. By combining the strength of the GAC supply chain and ENOC’s marine products, which are approved by the biggest marine engine manufactures, the partnership offers vessel owners and operators a quality service at a competitive price.
“ENOC is an exceptionally strong brand in the Middle East, and their business ethics and values are very similar to GAC’s,†says Nicholas Browne, GAC Bunker Fuels Director. “Sales and distribution is a logical extension to GAC’s existing service offering, and it meets a very real need. We’re excited to see this partnership develop and open new avenues of growth for both parties.â€
“At ENOC, we aspire to build upon our successes by expanding our regional and international presence and are well aware of the potential that international markets present; particularly the African region and its contribution to the success of our operations. This newly forged collaboration with GAC presents ample opportunity for us to expand our network and cater to the ever evolving needs of our customers,†stated Zaid Alqufaidi, Managing Director, ENOC Marketing.
Since its inception in 2015, ENOC Global Marine has built a strong presence across Africa, covering some of the continent’s key ports in Egypt, Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and Mauritania and now South Africa. The newly announced partnership with GAC Bunker Fuels will contribute to increasing the division’s vessel delivery by 300,000 litres
annually.
The marine lubricant market is expected to expand over the next few years. Simultaneously, cost pressures and a drive towards cost saving is encouraging manufacturers to seek sales partners that can offer greater logistical efficiency and lower overheads.
ENOC Global Marine supplies lubricants and provides technical support services to the international marine industry. Headquartered in Dubai, the company has an extensive portfolio of application-based lubricants, each designed to address the specific challenge of achieving optimum performance. ENOC’s marine lubricants division offers a comprehensive product portfolio to over 80 ports across 16 countries. The division’s product – STRATA marine lubricants – covers all types of marine main engines along with a complete range of products for marine applications.