New Window, New Horizons for Gapuma

21st February 2025 Gapuma has officially launched its new website, marking a significant milestone in the company’s digital evolution. The revamped platform, accessible worldwide, went live this month and offers an enhanced experience for clients, partners, and suppliers. Designed to better reflect the scale and expertise of Gapuma, the site serves as a central hub for the company’s global trade operations. The new website, showcases Gapuma’s extensive portfolio across multiple industries, including commodities, industrial goods, healthcare, and sustainable solutions. With a modern, intuitive design, the platform provides streamlined navigation, allowing users to efficiently access information about the company’s services, values, and supply chain capabilities. Gapuma, a leader in international trade and procurement, developed the new site to strengthen connections with stakeholders and highlight the company’s continued growth. The enhanced digital presence is part of a broader strategy to improve transparency, accessibility, and engagement. The refreshed content offers deeper insights into Gapuma’s operations, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in global markets. A key focus of the redesign is its emphasis on collaboration. The website places particular importance on Gapuma’s longstanding relationships with suppliers and clients, showcasing testimonials and case studies that demonstrate successful partnerships. It also reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in international commerce. The launch of the new website signals Gapuma’s dedication to continuous improvement and adaptability in an ever-evolving industry. As the company expands its global reach, the new digital platform will serve as a valuable resource, ensuring that all stakeholders remain well-informed and connected to Gapuma’s mission and operations.

Global Trade Faces Renewed Challenges as Ocean Shipping Rates Spike

GAPUMA, LONDON The global shipping industry is once again grappling with a surge in ocean shipping rates, vessel backups at seaports, and shortages of empty containers, reminiscent of the supply-chain crisis experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the industry enters its busiest season, these issues are causing widespread concern among traders and logistics companies. The sudden and sharp increase in shipping rates is creating significant challenges for businesses worldwide, affecting the timely delivery of goods and adding to the costs of global trade. As companies scramble to adapt to these evolving conditions, the situation underscores the ongoing volatility in the global supply chain landscape. “There is a cocktail of uncertainty and disruption across global ocean freight supply chains,” remarked Peter Sand, chief analyst at pricing platform Xeneta. “It is the speed and magnitude of this recent (rate) spike that has taken the market by surprise,” he added. In late May, the spot rate to ship a 40-foot (12-meter) container from China to Northern Europe soared to $4,615, marking an almost 3.5-fold increase since the beginning of the month. Although this rate remains below the all-time high of $14,407 seen in January 2022, it signals a significant upward trend, according to Peter Sand, chief analyst at pricing platform Xeneta. Notably, this rate does not include the $10,000 “diamond tier” rates for priority shipments. The spot rate for containers from China to the U.S. East Coast also saw a sharp rise, reaching $6,061, up from $2,772 on May 1. Still some way off the $11,900 peak of January 2022. The roots of the container industry’s current struggles can be traced back to December 2023, when major shipping lines like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd began diverting vessels away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal. This strategic shift was in response to Houthi drone and missile attacks from Yemen. As a result, ships on routes from China to Europe and China to the U.S. East Coast have been navigating around Africa, leading to cascading disruptions and increased costs across global supply chains. These supply chains heavily depend on ocean vessels, which transport approximately 80% of international trade volume.

Gapuma Celebrates 25 Years of Success

LONDON Gapuma is celebrating its 25th anniversary today.And it is marking the occasion with a party at the Art Otel in Battersea. Founded in 1999, Gapuma was the brainchild of its founder Jack Bardakjian, who remains at the helm, as the group’s Managing Director. “We had the chance to begin trading in Ghana, and against all the advice and all the predictions, I decided to take the opportunity. And here we are 25 years later, still going strong.”Jack is very magnanimous and unassuming about the successful enterprise he founded and to which he has dedicated most of his working life. “I really couldn’t have done any of this without the wonderful support of my family, my amazing colleagues, and the many and varied partners and clients we’ve had throughout the years.”And as he says that you can see Jack’s mind wandering over the myriad adventures he and Gapuma have had trading across the world. Today, Gapuma has gone from that contingent business, doing ‘back-to-back’ deals to a large and respected physical commodities business, whose name is a byword for reliability, respect and trust. “We never have and never will take anything for granted. The truth is you’re only as good as your last deal, and so we treat every new contract as though it’s our first.

Gapuma at Coatings for Africa

SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE, JOHANNESBURG Gapuma were out in force on Wednesday at Coatings for Africa, the largest dedicated coatings event in Africa for raw material and service suppliers, equipment and paint manufacturers. And this year, Gapuma is an exhibitor at the fair, which incorporates a trade exhibition along with the Coatings for Africa Conference and Business Presentations Hub; providing invaluable business and networking opportunities for the coatings community.According to the organisers: “The event creates the perfect environment for manufacturers, raw materials suppliers, distributors, buyers and technical specialists… to meet face-to-face and do business.Jack Bardakjian, Group Managing Director of Gapuma, who is attending, considers the event unique: “Nothing comes close to the opportunity to meet partners and clients in person in a dedicated space like this. It’s also a fantastic chance to see what our rivals are doing and learn from their successes.”The show continues until Friday, and Gapuma can be found at Stand B10, where they would be delighted to meet you and discuss all your coatings needs in person.