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An
Introduction to the Great Circle Group
Great Circle Line was established in the United
Arab Emirates in 1973 when they acquired a 3500
DWT general cargo vessel. While shipping remains
at the heart of activities, the company has grown
into a diversified industrial group with activities
spanning from Liner agencies and ship owning to
Paper and Chemicals manufacturing and real estate
investments. Great Circle Line has representative
offices in Qatar and Iran as well as close decade-long
relationships with agents throughout the Arabian
Gulf region and the Indian Sub |
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Activities
The GCL group transportation activities today
include
Great Circle Line
Co. (GCL) - Liner agents
TransPro Transport
(TPT) - A trucking company
Great Marine Line
Co. (GM LINE) - A feeder operator
Plimsoll Logistics
- A logistics provider and freight forwarder
The Liner agency division is active in a host
of trade lanes including Europe, Asia, Middle
East and the Indian Sub-continent. By virtue
of the group's shipping expertise and exposure
to the region, GCL acts as general agents for
the region including Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia,
Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. As Part-owner
and Operator of Great Marine Line, Malta - a
feeder operator in the Arabian Gulf and Indian
Sub-continent areas, GCL offers an efficient
feeder and transshipment service to main line
operators for all Upper Gulf and key Sub-Continent
Ports.
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Professional
Resources
Our people are our greatest asset and Great Circle
Line Co. today employs more than 100 shipping
professionals. The company is split into the functional
areas of Marketing, Operations, IT, Finance and
Business Development. Besides being guided by
team Managers, experienced staff members contribute
with innovative approach to assigned functions.
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Marketing
Our core belief is that our marketing efforts
should be aimed at more than just promoting our
principals in the market place. All our staff
are therefore training to proficiency in all aspects
of liner shipping. This makes them able to serve
our customers by assisting them in creating solution
to a transportation or a logistics need, often
scrutinizing parts of the supply chain that most
agents ignore. To help serve customers effectively,
the Marketing Department maintains a large database
of trade statistics and customers. This knowledge
is also made available to our Principals to assist
them in strategic and commercial planning. Creative
contribution from the marketing team provides
value addition to Customers and Principals alike.
The team is constantly improving its ability through
the use of new technology and better methodology.
We believe accurate market information and volume
projections are essential to serve customers and
of course this information is required by any
shipping line for efficient management of assets
and resources. |
Operations
Our team is active around the clock, 7 days a
week - Ready to provide services at any of our
ports of call. The team enjoys a reputation at
the port for efficiency and professionalism. The
latest Information Technology systems are utilized
to further develop and increase efficiency and
constantly improve accuracy and timeliness of
data and communication. We enjoy a close relationship
with port authorities in Dubai, Khorfakkan, Sharjah,
Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. These relationships ensure
flexibility with the port authorities and enable
us to get things done on priority basis, with
great potential savings for the shipping line.
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Finance
The Finance Department follows a meticulous reporting
system - Financial Control and Reporting are customized
to our Principal's requirements. Overall efficiency
is assured through the use of the latest technology
- The accounting package guarantees security,
smooth collection, and onward remittance to principals.
This is significant, as Dubai, in our experience,
has always been a revenue generating center. GCL
takes pride in its reputation as a good agent
and sound financial partner. We have been in operation
for over 25 years and our integrity is known to
the larger trading and manufacturing houses in
the region. Execution and reconciliation of disbursement
accounts is prompt and regular. The latest technology
allows for prompt reporting and good administration.
Disciplined Credit Procedure is followed and only
25 Percent of GCL business in terms of Credit
- The industry norm being 40 to 60 percent. |
Communications
/ Information Technology
Communications technology is given the highest
priority - We have the most updated software,
hardware and communications network in place for
our principals. A dedicated communications line
from the local telecommunications provider guarantees
all email and electronic data is confidential
and immediate. Nearly 85% of all GCL communications
is handled electronically - Dedicated lines to
Principals, Ports and Customs, Sub-Agents and
Representative Offices as well as to exclusive
customers ensure that GCL has an efficient supply
chain of communications expertise necessary in
a chaotic marketplace. The company has invested
heavily in equipment - Workstations are linked
to the Port and Customs for Electronic Manifest
transfer and other links to |
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