Page 33: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2011)

Christer Sjödoff

Group Vice-President, GAC Solutions

Based in the corporate head office in

Dubai, Christer Sjödoff is responsible for the conception and development of

GAC Solutions designed to meet the needs of the international maritime community through strategic tie-ups that marry GAC’s capabilities in ship- ping, logistics and marine with the spe- cialist services of its partners. A partnership between GAC Solutions and the state-of-the-art $100m training facility at NMCI, GTSS provides ex- pert delivery of a portfolio of training courses for both seafarers and shore- based shipping personnel. www.gac.com/gtss

May 2011 www.marinelink.com 33 ple with different skill sets are required to collaborate for a common goal but are often restricted by their understanding of factors outside their own role. Those peo- ple who are involved in the organization and coordination of operations from an office in, for example, London or Geneva can only perform more effectively by un- derstanding not only their own responsi- bilities but also the responsibilities of everyone involved in the operation, whether directly or indirectly.

Organizations rely upon their staff to do the best job they can; to make the right decisions and take appropriate action on the behalf of the company. With this ex- pectation comes a responsibility to em- power them to do so. Whether afloat or onshore specialist training is fundamental to realizing profitable efficiencies and minimizing environmental and financial risk.

Despite, or perhaps because of, the fact that budgets have come under consider- able pressure during such tough eco- nomic times, the demands placed upon maritime professionals have rarely been higher.

The more forward thinking companies recognize that their human capital can be the strongest link in their value chain and are investing in training for their seafarers and land-based teams.

The marine training sector is respond- ing to this in a dynamic, creative and proactive fashion by delivering cutting edge training solutions that meet special- ist needs with the right blend of practical and commercial skills. In doing so, it is helping its customers to both minimize risks and maximize efficiencies in their operations.