First online procurement platform for marine lubricants
The Hamburg based start-up Closelink wants to provide more transparency to the procurement process for one of the major[ds_preview] cost drivers in ship management. Since March 2018, Closelink offers the first online procurement platform for marine lubricants.
In the past years, a great number of new manufacturers, distributors and traders has entered the market for marine lubricants which provides buyers with a greater variety of options. »These options are important to ensure smooth operations in times of changing vessel trades (e.g. driven by China’s Belt and Road Initiative) and a growing number of vessels per ship manager due to the ongoing market consolidation,« says Philippe Lavarde, Managing Director of Closelink.
With Closelink, lubricants purchasers have the chance to put negotiated terms in comparison with offers from other suppliers registered on the platform. The online platform provides quick support in case of short-term emergencies or deliveries in remote ports. In addition, Closelink allows purchasers to compare different lifting scenarios with a single mouse click and automatically provides visual reporting.
»Suppliers get direct access to the increasing spot market for lubricants and a standard communication process«
Through the Closelink platform, suppliers have a direct access to the increasing spot market for marine lubricants and a standardized communication process. Whereas the homogenization of products continues, suppliers have the opportunity to differentiate in terms of service offering, product availability and supply infrastructure.
Due to the changes that will be unfolding in the marine fuels market with implementation of the IMO’s 0.5% sulphur cap from 2020 onwards, the choice of the right engine lubricant becomes more obvious; the task is to either match LNG, low sulphur or high sulphur fuel. Ensuring a global availability of the particular product becomes a greater challenge. Going forward, Closelink expects engine manufacturers to take greater responsibility by providing clearer product specifications to ensure standard qualities among different manufacturers.
The Closelink founders are one of the five start-up teams that were able to qualifiy for the Next Logistics Accelerator programme. More than 100 teams from all over the world had applied for it. Within the coming six months, the start-ups will work on their business moldels, expand their network and search for investors for their next growth phase.
