GAC Greece, a unit of GAC - a global provider of integrated shipping, logistics and marine services, said it has become the latest GAC company to sign up for the Green Award (GA) Foundation’s scheme, underlining its commitment to environmental issues.
 
The GA Foundation is a non-profit, independent international platform for the maritime industry to stimulate safer, cleaner shipping by supporting vessels that go beyond legally required standards. Participating ports and maritime service providers provide incentives for vessels through the scheme, to achieve a safer, greener and sustainable future.

Under the scheme, GA-certified ships that use GAC's ship agency services at Greek ports can claim a 10 per cent discount on the company’s agency fees, said a statement from the company.

By joining the incentive scheme, GAC Greece demonstrated its commitment to applying and promoting measures to encourage green shipping, it said.

The GA Foundation’s chairman Captain Dimitrios Mattheou officially welcomed GAC Greece to the scheme when he presented its participation certificate to assistant general manager Socrates Zorbas and group sales director Neil Godfrey at the GAC stand at the Posidonia 2018 Exhibition being held in Athens, Greece, it added.

Mattheou said: “We are delighted to have such a value-oriented company as GAC Greece on board. Its willingness to offer our members the incentive of a discount on its agency fees clearly demonstrates a commitment to improve standards in shipping.”

“Environmental responsibility and safe operations are elements that fit very well with the values of the GAC Group,” he said.
 
“As well as promoting extra safe and extra environmentally-friendly shipping, the award is about creating a platform from which to help frontrunners get the recognition they deserve and a strong foundation for industry-wide joint maritime corporate social responsibility. Again, a perfect match with our new incentive provider GAC Greece,” he added.
 
GAC Greece handles 600 calls by all kinds of vessels at the country’s ports every year, it said.

GAC is a keen supporter of green initiatives, as evidenced by its Chairman’s Awards for HSSE Excellence which rewards initiatives taken by GAC companies to reduce their negative environmental impact and boost safety and security, it added.
 
George P Fragos, operations manager, GAC Greece, said: “At a time when the environment is at the top of the agenda for many, we are delighted to work with Green Award to help its members save costs.”
 
GAC Greece is the third GAC company in Europe to join the Green Award incentive scheme. GAC Belgium and GAC Netherlands signed up in 2015, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service