GAC Pindar appointed official logistics provider to The Ocean Race
*A record third time taking on the toughest logistics challenge in competitive sailing*
Southampton, UK, 14 July 2020 – GAC Pindar has been appointed the official logistics provider for the world’s greatest competitive sailing challenge, The Ocean Race, for an unprecedented third consecutive time.
The 14th edition of the epic 38,000NM Race will start in Alicante, Spain and circumnavigate the globe visiting 10 international cities, finishing in Genoa, Italy, nine months later.
As an official partner of The Ocean Race, GAC Pindar, the marine sports, leisure and events arm of the GAC Group, will provide feasibility planning, transportation of Race Village infrastructure, broadcast and other support equipment to host cities, customs clearance, storage and relocation services for potential urgent spares, site management, on-the-ground staff and provision of site materials handling equipment. Working closely with other logistics experts from GAC’s global network of offices, GAC Pindar will ensure fast and efficient on-the-ground response to the demands of this world-class event.
The GAC Pindar teams working in the host cities and at its headquarters in Southampton, UK, will be on standby throughout, ready to provide recovery logistics services if needed. Having been appointed to the task for the 2014-15 and 2017-18 editions of the Race, that standby role is a familiar one where urgent yacht and mast transport solutions were provided to four teams, ensuring they were able to return to the Race.
“We are delighted that, once again, The Ocean Race has chosen to utilise our bespoke offering,” said Andrew Pindar, founding partner of GAC Pindar. “Over the last ten years, we have developed a one-of-a-kind event logistics support package, tried and tested by some of the most complex, multi-staged global events. The dedicated team at GAC Pindar is made up of freight forwarders and event professionals who understand the time pressures of delivering event freight, who repeatedly go above and beyond to keep schedules on track. It is this high level of service we proudly provide that ensures event organisers across the sports disciplines repeatedly seek out our services.”
Johan Salén, The Ocean Race Managing Director, adds: “The Ocean Race is a unique event with significant logistical challenges. In GAC Pindar, we have a partner who has been tested in the last two editions of the Race and who has a proven track record for reliability of service. The global reach of the GAC Group and the high level of commitment to finding solutions, makes this an ideal partnership.”
Greenhouse gas commitment
Both The Ocean Race and GAC Pindar are committed to reducing shipping-related greenhouse gas emissions through the use of more locally provided services.
GAC Pindar will provide detailed data on greenhouse gas emissions produced through all transport and logistics arranged on behalf of The Ocean Race, its partners and teams. Reports will be issued throughout the event, allowing for adjustments to be made that will ensure the most efficient solutions are being used.
Jeremy Troughton, General Manager for GAC Pindar, says it is a core mission for this next edition, to reduce the impact of the Race on the environment by taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to eliminate single-use plastics involved in logistics operations: “Not only does that reflect our own corporate commitment, it is a must when working for The Ocean Race, which proved itself as a sustainable event leader with its award-wining efforts in the 2017-18 edition.
“The event remains close to our team members’ hearts. It is a very special, unique race and we look forward to supporting the organisers in their goal to leave a positive legacy for the planet.”