Brief History, Mentality & Vision
GC Lymberpa SA — Hellenic International Forwarders & General Enterprises Co. — continues the legacy of Giovani Sofianopoulos Hellas, which was established in Greece in 1859. As its successor, GC Lymberpa SA represents the country’s first and oldest transport company still operating today.
The company initially focused on international maritime transportation. Following the invention of the automobile in 1861 and the airplane in 1903, it gradually expanded its operations to include road and air freight, embracing the new transportation methods emerging at the time. By the 1970s, the company operated the largest truck fleet in Greece and one of the largest privately owned fleets in Europe.
Today, GC Lymberpa SA delivers premium international freight and logistics services, with particular expertise in ocean and air transportation. Its ocean freight operations exceed 8,500 TEUs per annum, while its air freight wholesale division handles more than 5,500,000 kg of exports and over 150 freighter charters per annum. GC Lymberpa SA has also held the distinction of being Greece’s first IATA agent since 1963.
The company operates from privately owned office and warehouse facilities covering 1,200 sqm, located within 5 minutes of Athens International Airport. Through its proximity to Piraeus Port, privately operated container depot, truck fleet, vans, and extensive outsourced network of professional hauliers, GC Lymberpa SA provides a complete, one-stop solution for air cargo, ocean freight, and associated logistics requirements.
GC Lymberpa SA is also the only IATA agent in Greece licensed by the Hellenic Food Authority, EFET, to manage food shipments. For the last 60 years, the company has developed specialised expertise in the transportation of perishable food products and pharmaceuticals.
Its facilities include multiple privately operated cold chambers situated next to Athens Airport. As part of its ISO 22000 implementation, GC Lymberpa SA has also developed a specialised packaging service designed to maintain the required cold chain independently throughout air freight transportation. Available temperature-controlled solutions include 2–8°C, 15–25°C, and frozen conditions.
Additional information about the company’s temperature-controlled logistics services is available at gclsa.com/coldship.
Responsibility, personal attention, and genuine care for every shipment—regardless of its size or value—form an essential part of the company’s daily operations. This commitment extends throughout the organisation, from senior management to every member of the GC Lymberpa SA team.
Even the most advanced operational system cannot reach its full potential without the contribution of experienced and dedicated people. At GC Lymberpa SA, the human factor provides the added value that transforms a standard transportation service into a dependable and personalised logistics solution.
With passion for our work, extensive industry knowledge, determination, infrastructure, and the resources required to deliver results, we are ready to support your international air and sea freight requirements to and from Greece and the Balkans.
Thank you for trusting GC Lymberpa SA with your transportation and logistics needs.
