Press Releases
China – an exciting new frontier for Griffin

The Griffin Global Group is set for significant expansion in China in recognition of the country’s growing importance as a crewing centre.

In a move that recognises the growing importance of the Chinese crewing market, the Griffin Global Group will open a new office in Beijing, the Capital of The People’s Republic of China, on June 12th, this year.

China is emerging as the new giant of the shipping industry and Griffin has identified the importance of this development to act swiftly to become the first crew travel specialist to commence operating in this increasingly important manning, shipping and offshore area.

This new office, Griffin’s twenty-third around the world, will introduce the services of the world’s leading crew travel specialist to the local marine and offshore markets, as well as offering enhanced servicing to meet the growing Chinese manning requirements of existing clients around the globe.

Griffin says that China accounts for about 7% of the world’s crewing market. The country last year supplied some 50,000 seafarers mainly to Asian owned vessels, but increasingly on European owned ships. Griffin expects this figure to increase to about 60,000 in 2004.

Griffin has always recognised the importance of a strong presence in the Far East, and the new office in Beijing will complement existing offices in Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta and Singapore. With China being such a vast market, Griffin expects to announce further new offices elsewhere in the country within the next two years.

The office in Beijing, which is a joint venture between Griffin Global Group Ltd and local partner Anlope Company, once again illustrates Griffin’s ability to continually develop its business in line with ever changing market conditions. Griffin’s local director Mr. Sun previously ran marine travel operations and has practical experience in a manning agency business. Beijing will work closely with Griffin’s Hong Kong office offering a one company model.

Enthusing about the latest development, George Boyes, Managing Director of the Griffin Global Group commented: “Griffin’s local Director, Mr Sun, has a vastly experienced team who will offer a highly professional service to the Chinese crew travel market, while at the same time bringing invaluable local knowledge and expertise to Griffin’s global network.”

The office building is located near Beijing’s Central Business District and is close to the headquarters of several of the largest manning agents.

For further information please contact:

Mr. Hui Sun
Griffin Marine Travel Consultancy (Beijing) Co., Ltd
1306 Anhua Development Plaza
No. 35, Anding Road,
Chaoyang District,
Beijing,
China
Telephone: + 86 10 8161 0426
Fax: + 86 10 6441 0738
Email: sales@griffintravel.com.cn