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Bernhard Schulte and Columbia pooling buying power

Two of the world's top shipmanagers – Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) and Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM) - are pooling their buying power with a joint procurement company.

Marcus Hand, Editor

June 7, 2018

1 Min Read
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The imaginatively named GP General Procurement Company Ltd (GenPro) will give the two shipmanagers a pool of 800 vessels with which to negotiate with suppliers to achieve the best prices for their principals. The two companies said GenPro would negotiate framework agreement with international ship suppliers “with a view to securing the lowest prices achievable on all consumables”.

The aim will be to reduce clients operating costs in a transparent and auditable way. The venture will also procure other products related to the operation of a maritome business both on and offshore.

GenPro will work on the basis of a brokerage fee from suppliers with discounts negotiated from bulk purchases returned to its members clients in full.

Ian Beveridge ceo of BSM said: “We believe GenPro will change the way global procurement is delivered to shipowners on an international scale and will in time become a compelling new force in the industry. Both companies are leveraging their industry links and relationships to owners and we believe this is something owners will welcome.”

Mark O’Neil, ceo and president of CSM said: “GenPro represents optimisation of the procurement process in its purest form – a veritable ‘win-win’ for owners and suppliers alike.”

About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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