Dubai-based shipping company forms partnership with locals

Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas sector has attracted the Dubai-based shipping company, Gulf Agency Company (GAC) Limited, with the firm partnering with local shipping giant Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC).
The companies’ joint partnership was officially celebrated at the Marriott Hotel on Friday. There, GNSC Managing Director Andrew Astwood hailed the partnership between the two companies.
“At GNSC, we have been committed to growth and diversification, business development and strengthening our operations and our portfolio, particularly in the area of shipping and logistics and solutions to the maritime sector and the emerging oil and gas sector in Guyana.”
“Combining our resources, I have no doubt that we’ll be a strength to reckon with. The discovery of oil and gas presents opportunities for local and foreign businesses to develop partnerships like this and to develop the maritime sector.”
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, who was present at the launch, was optimistic that this partnership would set a standard for partnerships in the oil and gas sector between local and foreign companies.
“I think this is another really good example of a company that is global. It has a UK connection but it’s a global company and who is committed to the market here in Guyana. And they are committed in a way that will benefit the Guyana market and people here as well.”
“You know, linking up with GNSC, this is very much a partnership. So this demonstrates what can be done and what should be done. And tonight demonstrates a very clear partnership between a global company and their Guyanese partner.”
It is understood that GAC will be recruiting and training locals using courses from their corporate academy. The company already has footholds around the world, providing shipping, logistics and marine services.
With first oil just around the corner, there has been much talk about the need for local companies to build capacity to serve oil companies. Partnerships with big international firms have been cited as a gateway to ensuring locals get a piece of the pie.
Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI) is another example of partnership, as it is a joint venture made up of Muneshwers Ltd, Pacific Rim Constructors, TotalTec Oilfield Services and LED Offshore.
It was awarded a contract to provide shore base services to ExxonMobil’s offshore operations and is responsible for operating a shore base facility at Muneshwers Limited, Houston port.
It consists of a 28-acre warehousing and logistics base and is an integral part of Exxon’s Liza Field project, providing port facilities, accommodations on site, fuel bunkering, bulk cementing and mud plants.