Shipping is one of the most interdependent industries in the world: a single vessel can rely on hundreds of suppliers and contractors across multiple countries. However, many shipping companies agree that the real risk is often concentrated in a small group of critical suppliers. That’s why having accurate and up-to-date information on this high-risk group is key. The problem is that, at a time when regulations are tightening and ESG pressure is intensifying, many companies still lack even basic visibility over their direct suppliers.
In key markets such as Greece, Norway and Singapore, companies are increasingly exposed to risk due to a lack of reliable and current information on critical aspects such as:
- The financial health of their suppliers
- ESG maturity and sustainability performance
- Legal or reputational compliance history
- Real capacity to deliver on time and in full
According to a recent Financial Times article titled “Companies seek AI solutions to supply chain fragility” (March 2025), “only 30% of companies said they had visibility beyond their direct suppliers.” This figure points to a serious risk in industries with complex supply chains, where financial health and ESG performance must be under control to avoid disruptions and penalties.
The consequences of managing blind
Over the past 12 months, several operators in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Asia have faced sanctions, operational delays or external audits after discovering that some of their suppliers failed to meet minimum standards in sustainability or solvency.
One of the most striking cases involved Maersk. In August 2024, two chartered vessels — the Campton and the Candor — were found to be transporting over 800 tonnes of hazardous waste without properly declaring the cargo or activating the AIS tracking systems, which are mandatory to ensure traceability in maritime transport. The incident, which drew international concern, highlighted the real risks of poor visibility into supplier and subcontractor operations — even for leading companies.
These practices will soon face even stricter penalties as new EU regulations on hazardous waste come into force. From 2027, waste exports from the EU to non-OECD countries will only be allowed if those countries can prove to the European Commission that they can manage the waste sustainably.
These incidents don’t just bring economic costs — they damage corporate reputation and can jeopardize key contracts with customers who increasingly demand responsible supply chain management.
Visibility is not surveillance — it’s prevention
Visibility is not a luxury. It’s a preventive tool. When procurement teams can access reliable, standardized supplier data, they can anticipate risk, make more responsible decisions and improve the overall performance of their supply chain.
While many maritime suppliers are already certified under ISO 9001 or ISO 45001, very few have progressed in key areas like carbon footprint measurement or anti-bribery practices. This gap between what’s common and what new ESG standards demand creates a critical information void for buyers.
In a sector where every delay counts, having the right information at the right time makes all the difference.
An integrated solution to regain control
To address this need, Achilles has partnered with Procureship, the leading e-procurement platform for the maritime sector. Our integration enables maritime buyers to:
- Access Achilles sustainability ratings directly in Procureship during the purchasing process.
- View verified ESG and financial assessments of suppliers.
- Identify red flags (changes in supplier status, compliance breaches, missing documentation).
- Reduce administrative burden by eliminating manual validation steps.
This collaboration also benefits suppliers: Achilles’ sustainability score is now part of Procureship’s recommendation engine. This means higher-performing suppliers gain greater visibility — and therefore more business opportunities.
Contact us for a demo and discover how the Procureship + Achilles solution can help you gain visibility and confidence across your supplier network.
