Project Overview
A major UK ferry operator required a comprehensive logistics solution to manage the movement of critical marine spare parts from global suppliers based in Europe, the USA, Scandinavia, and the Far East. The solution needed to provide full visibility, ensure regulatory compliance, and align with the client’s engineering and procurement processes to reduce lead times and cost.
Challenges Identified
Several logistical pain points were flagged during the initial assessment:
– Customs delays and inconsistent documentation
– Lack of visibility between procurement and engineering
– Escalating freight costs and inefficient routing
– Risk of downtime due to delayed or misrouted spares
Solutions & Implementation
The project was structured to synchronise global freight, customs, and delivery workflows—ensuring critical spares were available when and where needed.
-Customs delays and inconsistent documentation
-Lack of visibility between procurement and engineering
-Escalating freight costs and inefficient routing
-Risk of downtime due to delayed or misrouted spares
Process for Completing the Project
Partnered with the client’s procurement and maintenance teams to:
-Map end-to-end logistics flow and identify bottlenecks
-Categorise delivery urgency by item type and region
-Introduce a structured escalation protocol for urgent/emergency parts
-Create a supplier pack with shipping, documentation, and customs guidance
-Centralise visibility through online portal
Outcomes
-Improved lead times and reduced vessel downtime risk
-Lowered freight spend through better mode selection and consolidation
-Full visibility across spares in transit for procurement and engineering
-No customs delays or inspection penalties due to proactive compliance
-Greater operational confidence through dependable logistics flow
Additional Value-Added Services
-Customs consultancy – Ongoing trade compliance and documentation guidance
-Supplier engagement – Onboarding and support for shipment readiness
-Emergency logistics planning – Workflow for same-day/next-flight parts dispatch
-Cost reduction strategy – Route and all market rate reviews driving measurable savings
