The GAC Group, a leading provider of shipping, logistics, marine and related services, has boosted its presence in the Baltic region with the acquisition of leading Finnish shipping agent, John Nurminen Navis Oy (JNN).

JNN is the leading ship agency in Finland and a subsidiary of the John Nurminen Group, handling annually up to 3,000 ship calls at all major Finnish commercial seaports.

GAC Group president Lars Safverstrom and JNN managing director Jan Lonnblad signed an agreement rebranding the company as GAC- Nurminen Navis Oy.

Commenting on the acquistion, Säfverström said both companies shared the same corporate values.

“GAC and JNN have much in common, making this new partnership a great match. That compatibility will be vital in facilitating the smooth integration of this icon of the Finnish shipping community into GAC global network - to the benefit of customers,” he added.

Lonnblad described the deal as a milestone in JNN’s history and said it will offer even greater benefits for customers and staff.

“From John Nurminen’s point of view, it made good business sense to join JNN with GAC, based on the group’s global reach, financial strength and reputation. By combining our rich legacy of shipping services and local ship agency expertise and experience with GAC’s strength and resources, we can offer even more to our clients,” he added.

Erland Ebbersten, GAC Group vice president – Europe, Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Sea, and Africa, said JNN’s standing in the local market and strong client-base of major international and domestic shipping and chartering principals made it an ideal candidate for acquisition to help drive GAC’s development strategy in the Baltic Sea.

“JNN is strongly represented in key sectors such as oil tankers, chemical carriers, dry bulk, and cruise ships,” he added.

“These are all areas where GAC is strong globally, so this acquisition makes perfect sense to help us continue to thrive in the long term,” he added.

The new GAC-Nurminen Navis Oy’s management team comprises Svante Eriksson (managing director), Jyrki Lehti (regional manager, West Coast operations) and Ilkka Holmroos (regional manager, East Coast operations).-TradeArabia News Service