GAC Bunker Fuels (GBFL), the bunker fuels trading arm of GAC, has been appointed as Emirates National Oil Company Group (Enoc) Global Marine’s exclusive sales agent and distributor for marine lubricants in South Africa.

Dubai-based GAC is a global provider of integrated shipping, logistics and marine services.

Enoc Global Marine supplies lubricants and provides technical support services to the international marine industry.

The deal was announced during the ongoing Posidonia 2016, an international shipping event being held in Athens, Greece.

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, said a statement.

GAC shares 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, it added.

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 GBFL will contribute to increasing the division’s vessel delivery by 300,000 litres annually, it said.

Nicholas Browne, director of GBFL, said: “Enoc is an exceptionally strong brand in the Middle East, and their business ethics and values are very similar to our own.”

“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,” he said.

Zaid Alqufaidi, managing director, Enoc Marketing, said: “We as a company 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,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service