July 25 - GAC has been named official shipping and logistics partner of Team Britannia, which is attempting to break the round-the-world powerboat record later this year.
GAC will provide the 80 ft powerboat and its 12-strong crew with all the food, fuel and stores needed to complete the 23,000 mile (37,000 km) voyage. Its services will also include port agency, canal transit assistance, crew travel management and logistical support.
Team Britannia principal Alan Priddy said that GAC would be vital in helping the boat complete its journey: "With over 9,000 people at more than 300 offices in 50 different countries they [GAC] have the capacity and experience to make sure that when we enter a port, transit the Panama or Suez canals, or load fuel and other stores, there is no delay. Every minute waiting with the engines idle is wasted time."
The powerboat is currently under construction and will be launched in September for two weeks of sea trials, before heading to the Monaco Boat Show. The boat will then undertake its final sea trials in Gibraltar, before the team set off on their world record attempt in October.
Beginning and ending its journey in Gibraltar, the boat is scheduled to make port calls at Puerto Rico, Manzanillo, Honolulu, Guam, Singapore, Oman and Malta.
