GAC Netherlands is expanding its range of services with the opening of two new branches to offer air freight solutions at one of northern Europe's key airports and dedicated support for the North Sea oil & gas sector.

The newly opened Schiphol office will offer clients both air and sea freight logistics, clearing and forwarding solutions, as part of the global GAC Group's strategic plan for northern Europe. The addition of air freight solutions extends the range of services GAC offers from its IATA-licensed office at the home of one of northern Europe's major international airports. The company also has a fully integrated warehousing support in Rotterdam. The local operation is headed by Business Unit Manager Maurits Mostert, who says the extension of services to include general cargo " by sea as well as by air " is a natural step to meeting the diverse needs of GAC's clients, nationally, regionally and internationally

GAC's regional plan has also led to the opening of a new branch at the Netherlands' northernmost port Den Helder to meet the needs of the energy industry, both on and offshore.

Located on a peninsula jutting into the North Sea, Den Helder is the ideal location for a support base for the thriving oil & gas industry. GAC's team and office there, headed by Jurgen Polderman, offers the sector an integrated portfolio of shipping, logistics and marine services.

Says Polderman: "With GAC's ongoing global focus on the oil & gas sector, an office in Den Helder to strengthen our North Sea offering was a strategic necessity and natural progression. Together with GAC operations in the key oil & gas ports of England, Scotland and Norway, we're now even more ideally placed to support our oil & gas clients."

Both offices are supported by GAC Netherlands' head office in Rotterdam. GAC Netherlands is DNV for ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and TRACE certified.

Mark van den Akker, Managing Director of GAC Netherlands and GAC Belgium, says: GAC's extensive range of shipping, logistics and marine specialities " from ship agency to maritime training solutions " means that we can provide a unique adaptability to a port or locale's specific needs. In Antwerp we're focused on dry and wet bulk and project logistics. In Den Helder, it's oil & gas; in Schiphol, general cargo. It's a good example of GAC's client-focused, long term relationship strategy and it works."