Volvo Ocean Race names GAC Pindar official logistics provider
GAC Pindar has been appointed the official logistics provider for the Volvo Ocean Race, the world’s most prestigious round-the-world sailing event, the Company said in a press release.
GAC Pindar will provide a complete logistics support package for the 12th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2014-15, including transportation and customs clearance of pavilions and hospitality infrastructure for the Race Villages, as well as broadcast and other support equipment for the ports the Race will visit over the course of nine months, starting in October next year.
Formed in 2011, GAC Pindar is a strategic partnership between global shipping, marine and logistics provider GAC Group and professional sailing team Team Pindar. It has become the go-to provider in the specialist field of marine leisure logistics, offering a complete range of services including yacht transportation, superyacht fuel, air ocean and land freight, yacht spare logistics, sailing event management and ships agency. At sailing venues around the world, it works closely with teams from GAC’s offices to ensure smooth delivery of its full range of services.
William Hill, GAC’s Executive Group Vice President – Commercial, says that securing the logistics business for the Volvo Ocean Race is testament to the combination offered by GAC Group's global logistics infrastructure and Team Pindar: "We have the unique advantage of a deep understanding of the needs of sailing teams, the movement of their boats and the sailing events, combined with the global resources and reach of the GAC Group.
Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad and Lars Säfverström, Co-Chairman of the GAC Group, shake hands on the deal under which yachting logistics specialists GAC Pindar will handle the transportation of all support equipment for sailing’s most prestigious round-the-world event.
"We are honoured and excited by the challenge and opportunity that the Volvo Ocean Race represents. Our strength and infrastructure around the world puts us in the ideal position to support the GAC Pindar specialists with the local support and expertise they need to meet the tight deadlines and demands of this exciting highlight of the global sailing calendar."
GAC Pindar Team Principal Andrew Pindar adds: "Back in 2010, we set out to create a new business dedicated to bringing extraordinary service and value to the world of boats and yachts. As a sailing race and team sponsor of over 30 years standing we knew the need for a supplier who understood the needs and language of sailing and the global events which they have become. Since embarking on our journey to become the global market leader in marine sport and leisure logistics, our message has resonated throughout the yachting community - and being selected as the Volvo Ocean Race supplier of choice is fantastic validation that we are on course."
Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad says: "Logistics management is absolutely crucial to the operational delivery of the Volvo Ocean Race. The logistics challenges presented by a race visiting multiple countries in five continents over nine months are huge and to meet those challenges we need a world class partner with a proven track record. GAC fits that profile perfectly."
The 12th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will start from Alicante, Spain on 4 October 2014. The teams will cover 39,379 nautical miles before the finish and a final In-Port Race at Gothenburg, Sweden, on 27 June 2015.