Port of South LouisianaTOC Americas 2025TOC Africa 2025Bühler GmbHGeneva DryTelestack
  • Sailors Society
  • Van Aalst
  • TOC Americas 2025
  • TOC Africa 2025
  • Telestack
  • Bühler GmbH

Leading ship managers for joint procurement business

(Posted on 08/06/18)

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement and Columbia Shipmanagement have combined their global buying power to create an independent procurement company to deliver greater value in ship supply costs for shipowners. The move guarantees principals lower costs in the procurement of a wide range of consumables while guaranteeing product quality and service.

GP General Procurement Company Limited (GenPro) will negotiate framework supply agreements with international ship suppliers on behalf of its members’ clients with a view to securing the lowest prices achievable on all consumables. This new agreement gives BSM and Columbia’s pool of more than 800 vessel owners access to a wider, superior range of consumables at the best prices available globally.

It will capitalise on the best practices and strengths of its members by driving efficiencies into the whole procurement process to help reduce clients’ vessel OpEx costs and return real value to the client by way of volume-related discounts in a fully transparent and auditable way.

Ian Beveridge, CEO of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement said today: “We are pleased to be working with Columbia Shipmanagement to set up GenPro, a new company designed to deliver maximum value to our shipowner clients in a new and innovative way.

“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 Columbia Shipmanagement stated: “GenPro represents optimisation of the procurement process in its purest form – a veritable ‘win-win’ for owners and suppliers alike.”

The scope and reach of the procurement effort will not be limited to maritime products and consumables but will include all products and consumables associated with the operation of the maritime business, onshore and offshore.

GenPro will derive its income from a brokerage fee agreed with, and paid to it, by the ship supplier. It will also negotiate and agree volume-related discounts with the suppliers which shall be returned to GenPro members’ clients in full.

GenPro has pledged to build the most relevant, competitive, comprehensive quality repository of supply contracts within the maritime industry while ensuring honest and transparent dealing at all times, and fair competition amongst its suppliers and service partners. A commitment to strengthening and sustaining partnerships for mutual benefit is at the core of its operation, as is the concept of engendering and upholding a relationship of complete trust between all partners.

Latest News

Positive results for Pacific Basin despite weaker freight market

(Posted on 15/08/25)

Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, one of the world’s leading dry bulk shipping companies, has announced... Read more


Swedish Club: Geopolitical volatility is new normal for marine insurance

(Posted on 14/08/25)

The shipping industry must accept that geopolitical instability is now a permanent part of the operating... Read more


Diverse vessel and market portfolio provides resilience for Algoma

(Posted on 11/08/25)

Algoma Central Corporation has reported its results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025... Read more


Columbia: Compliance must be more than box-ticking exercise

(Posted on 11/08/25)

The International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has sent a clear message... Read more


DNV and RSI complete study on decarbonising short sea dry bulk fleet

(Posted on 07/08/25)

Amid increasing pressure on shipping to achieve the IMO 2050 decarbonization targets, the Responsible... Read more


London P&I Club warns industry over incorrect FIBC loading

(Posted on 04/08/25)

The London P&I Club has renewed calls on ship owners, operators and charterers to address potential... Read more


Columbia Group calls for overhaul of maritime training

(Posted on 04/08/25)

Columbia Group is calling for urgent reforms in maritime education to address a growing shortage of... Read more


MIS launches as new global media platform

(Posted on 30/07/25)

Maritime Information Services (MIS) has officially launched as a global media platform delivering daily... Read more


Russian and Ukrainian seafarers continue struggle with psychiatric fallout of war

(Posted on 30/07/25)

Russian and Ukrainian seafarers continue to experience significant psychological strain following the... Read more


Noatum expands global footprint with inauguration of Shanghai office

(Posted on 30/07/25)

Noatum Maritime, part of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, announced the official... Read more


Van AalstSailors SocietyPort of StocktonTBA GroupCimbriaVigan
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Cimbria
  • Vigan

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping