The maritime industry plays a crucial role in supply chains. Thanks to cargo vessels, trade is much easier and we can enjoy products from all corners of the world. The maritime sector is supported by various other industries. Ship chandlery is one of them. Just like other businesses need to find suppliers of goods for their day-to-day operations, vessels need to restock their provisions. Furthermore, in addition to food and water, ships also need to have a variety of spare parts, maritime equipment, and mechanical tools. They are used to guarantee the proper maintenance of the vessel while en route. In this post, we’ll share more about the ship chandlery industry and its role in modern maritime operations.
Key takeaway: Ship chandlers are companies that specialize in deliveries of parts, fuel, electronics, equipment, and provisions to ships. They act as middlemen between vessels and manufacturers of these goods. Ship chandlers also provide services related to technical support, emergency deliveries, and documentation assistance.
What Is a Ship Chandler
The term is used to describe a company that procures and delivers various products to different types of vessels. Some ship chandlers specialize in certain vessels such as yachts. Others serve a wide range of ships. It’s common for large shipping companies to have well-established relationships with ship chandlery businesses on all major ports. Alternatively, they can use the services of ship chandlers that have multiple locations across the world. On the other hand, small vessels like yachts, fishing ships, or other standalone vessels are likely to partner with a local ship chandler. That’s because they rarely dock on multiple ports.
Role of Ship Chandlers as Vessel Suppliers
Ship chandlers are for vessels what distributors are for other businesses. They deliver equipment, provisions, spare parts, and other items that ships need. Furthermore, these businesses need to have excellent operational efficiency and offer exceptional flexibility. That’s because ships can only stay in port for a limited period of time. During that time, all their cargo and supplies need to be loaded. Therefore, most ship chandlery companies offer 24/7 services to load and service as many ships as possible.
In addition to loading ships with the necessary provisions and equipment, ship chandlers need to possess good knowledge of regulations in the maritime industry. That includes maritime safety standards, port procedures, and local laws. Furthermore, as these businesses service vessels from all over the world, they need to consider additional factors. Examples include cultural preferences, dietary requirements of the crew, and specific needs based on the type of vessel and its route. All the necessary documentation and certifications for the food and the equipment delivered should also be on point.
Ship chandlers are the one-stop shop for most vessels. They are able to deliver all kinds of items needed by ships. From complicated and expensive equipment to wholesale products like water and different types of grains. As such, they play an essential role in the maritime industry. They need to have impeccable efficiency and very good logistics. Ship chandlers act as middlemen between vessels and manufacturers of equipment and goods. Thus, they need to have excellent relationships with other distributors and good knowledge in the field of wholesale sales.
Services Offered by Ship Chandlers
Although ship chandlery companies are primarily associated with deliveries of provisions and equipment to vessels, they also provide other services. Let’s examine some of them.
- Bunkering services. This includes supplying fuel to ships. Most ships use diesel or liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel. Some old vessels still use heavy fuel oil.
- Supply of lubricants. Ships use a variety of lubricants and liquids. That includes hydraulic fluid, cleaning agents, wholesale janitorial supplies, engine lubricants, and more.
- Technical support. Some ship chandlers can also do repairs or maintenance while the ship is docked. They also offer access to and rental of tools, equipment, and machinery.
- Documentation assistance. This includes services like handling customs clearance or providing documentation compliant with international maritime laws and regulations.
- Emergency deliveries. Some ship chandlers also offer emergency deliveries of provisions, different types of medical supplies, or other goods while the ship is en route. These deliveries can be done through a ship or a helicopter.
Overall, ship chandlers play a crucial role in the maritime sector. They deliver a variety of goods to ships in an efficient manner. These businesses are also knowledgeable in regulations and laws and can help vessels with services like documentation assistance or technical support.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ship Chandlers
From guides on broadline distribution to information about retail and wholesale prices, there are many useful resources on our website. Below we’ve shared the answers to some common questions regarding ship chandlering. Make sure to also check the resources we have at BinWise. Some of them include articles on cruise ship beverage inventory, building a cruise drinks menu, and a full guide on cruise beverages.
What Is the History of Ship Chandlering?
Ship chandlers have played an important role in the maritime industry since the Age of Sails. These businesses are responsible for procuring and delivering equipment, supplies, provisions, and various tools to ships while they are in a port. In the past, some of the most common products sold by these distributors included sail cloth, whale oil, ropes, and tar. Nowadays, ship chandlers offer a wide range of items such as electronics equipment, mechanical tools, water, different types of canned food, and other provisions with long shelf life.
Do Cruise Ships Use Ship Chandlers?
Yes. Most cruise line operators use ship chandlers to deliver certain items needed for their daily operations. For example, cruise ships need spare parts and tools such as batteries, maintenance supplies, fluids (lubricants or hydraulic fluid), and various other products used in ship maintenance. When it comes to provisions and supplies, they prefer to partner with other cruise ship distributors. That’s because these luxurious passenger vessels need a variety of ingredients and products to offer a high-end hospitality experience. As such, they purchase specialty food, cruise ship wines, and spirits from broadline distributors or other specialized suppliers.
How to Start a Ship Chandler Business?
Starting a ship chandlery business requires large investments and a lot of knowledge in the maritime industry. You need to learn about the different maritime regulations and port procedures, develop a thorough business plan, and obtain the necessary permits and licenses. Ship chandlers should invest in good warehousing capabilities near ports. Stocking essential items and developing good relationships with suppliers is also crucial. Marketing and sales play an important role and every business and ship chandlery makes no difference. Distributors of yachts, cargo vessels, or cruise ship supplies need to have a good online presence. Attending maritime trade shows and promoting their services through other channels is also important for marketing.
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