Web, phone blackout biggest logistics problem in Egypt: GAC

LOGISTICS major GAC says the biggest challenge that the company and its clients faced in Egypt was the shutdown of the internet and mobile phone services.

"Alternative means of keeping in touch with clients had to be immediately established," said Erland Ebbersten, group vice president for Africa, Russia and Central Asia, speaking from his Cairo office.

"Emails to GAC Egypt were re-routed to colleagues working abroad at the time, who coordinated with their colleagues locally, to maintain a flow of accurate, up-dated information to clients. Faxes and some land lines were still working, so those colleagues were able to print off and fax the emails to the relevant office in Egypt.

"The lack of internet interrupted our usual banking procedures, so we liaised closely with the banks and quickly set up emergency telephone banking with high security measures to ensure that Suez Canal transits and other operations dependent on the swift movement of funds continued as normal."

GAC said in a statement that it also used its daily "Hot Port News" service to send regular updates and news of key developments as mail shots, text alerts to mobile phones, and as part of the daily email bulletin to subscribed clients around the world.

But GAC warned its biggest fear for international shipping was the Suez Canal.

"Fortunately, vessel transits through the Canal are continuing without any disruption throughout," said Mr Ebbersten. "And despite rumours to the contrary, a strike by workers in the Suez Canal zone has not had any effect on transits or traffic movements.

"At the height of the crisis, GAC did recommend against having additional support services such as crew changes, delivery of spares, etc. However, we are now able to offer such services again, within the limitations enforced by the curfew and provided that we are given sufficient advance notice, said Mr Ebbersten.."

"Though most operations continued unabated, some services like crew changes and hire of stevedores were affected, worsened by the imposition of the frustrating curfew which seriously cut back working hours and added to backlogs."

Despite "some challenges" due to disrupted flight schedules and road blockages affecting logistics and operations at some ports, GAC Egypt claims to be doing everything within its power to keep operations "running smoothly."