World Sailing, the world governing body of sailing, and GAC Pindar, the leading international marine sport, leisure and event logistics provider, have today announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding for a long-term partnership.

The anticipated relationship, which will see GAC Pindar become an Official Partner of World Sailing, will last until 31 December 2020, with GAC Pindar granted exclusivity in the marine logistics and shipping sector. The announcement was made at World Sailing’s Annual Conference, taking place this week in Barcelona, Spain.

GAC Pindar and World Sailing will work in partnership by offering services to MNAs (Member National Authorities), the national governing bodies for sailing, that will help them to reduce the costs and environmental impact of logistics in the shipping of equipment to events, in line with the new World Sailing Sustainability strategy launched on Monday.

GAC Pindar will also play a leading role in supporting World Sailing’s mission to reinstate Paralympic Sailing back into the Sports Programme for 2024. As part of the agreement and in light of World Sailing’s Para World Sailing strategy released yesterday, GAC Pindar will support the transportation of Paralympic equipment to the 2017 Para World Championship and the 2017 Sailing World Cup Hyeres.

GAC Pindar representatives were in attendance at World Sailing’s Annual Conference outlining ways in which they can work together with World Sailing’s stakeholders.

On the announcement, World Sailing Chief Executive Officer Andy Hunt commented, “GAC Pindar’s experience and world class expertise in the marine sector will prove invaluable for World Sailing and its members. In partnership with GAC we will work towards a sustainable, long term future for the sport that benefits our MNAs, class associations, members and our partners.”

Andrew Pindar, Team Principal of GAC Pindar, commented, “Sailors and sailing sponsors ourselves, we created GAC Pindar some six years ago with the intention of improving the way logistics are delivered for the global sailing community and sailing event organisers. Over this time we have grown to become the provider of choice for many, from individual sailors through to sailing’s leading events. Our commitment to the sailing sector and to bringing better service, greater efficiencies and further savings will be further demonstrated over the next four years through this groundbreaking partnership.”

By Daniel Smith – World Sailing

World Sailing 2016 Annual Conference Partners

The World Sailing 2016 Annual Conference is supported by:

FAREAST Yachts – http://www.fareastboats.com/en/home
Bart’s Bash – http://www.bartsbash.com/
GAC Pindar – http://www.gac.com/gac-pindar/
Zhik – https://www.zhik.com/
Mexico – http://www.rivieranayarit.com/
Sarasota – http://sports.visitsarasota.org/

About World Sailing’s Annual Conference

World Sailing’s Annual Conference brings together up to 700 delegates every first full week of November. It is the central meeting point where the strategy of sailing is reviewed, discussed and celebrated.

Over the Annual Conference, participants plan for the future, make key decisions to drive the sport forward, share best practice and generate new ideas.

The 2016 Annual Conference will be held in Barcelona, Spain at the Hotel Renaissance Barcelona Fira from 5-13 November.

About the General Assembly

The General Assembly of World Sailing takes places every four years. It is on this occasion that the World Sailing Board of Directors (President and Vice-Presidents) and members of the World Sailing Council automatically retire.

All full World Sailing Member National Authorities (MNAs) are entitled to be represented at the General Assembly and to vote for the new President and the seven Vice-Presidents.

MNAs can nominate members for the World Sailing Board of Directors, Council, Committees, Sub-Committees and Commissions.

The next World Sailing General Assembly will take place on Sunday 13 November 2016 from 09:30 – 13:30.

About GAC Pindar

Launched in 2011, GAC Pindar is the go-to provider for marine sport, leisure and event logistics. GAC Pindar combines the global strength and resources of the GAC Group with the inside understanding of the yachting world, represented by the Team Pindar professional sailing team.

GAC Pindar is the official logistics provider for the Extreme Sailing Series, World Match Racing Tour, M32 Series and the Volvo Ocean Race.

GAC Pindar is also a familiar name on the international race circuit, frequently featuring in the winning line-up at premier sailing events.

About GAC Group

GAC is a global provider of integrated shipping, logistics and marine services. Emphasising world-class performance, a long-term approach, innovation, ethics and a strong human touch, GAC delivers a flexible and value-adding portfolio to help customers achieve their strategic goals.

Established since 1956, GAC employs over 9,000 people in more than 300 offices worldwide.

Sign up for GAC’s free HOT PORT NEWS email for daily updates from ports around the world and RED HOT PORT NEWS for free SMS alerts of breaking news at www.gac.com/hpn.

Follow GAC Group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GACGroup, LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/gac-group and Google+ at https://plus.google.com/+GacGAC-Group

The Commercial Strategy for the Sport Forum at the 2016 Annual Conference.

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