AVS Global Ship Supply is calling for greater recognition of the role ship supply companies play in advancing sustainability across the maritime sector, as the company highlights the growing importance of environmental responsibility, transparency and ethical business practices throughout global supply chains.
The global leader in ship supply and maritime services, which joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) two years ago, believes the industry's approach to ship supply is evolving beyond its traditional role as a logistics function and is increasingly becoming a contributor to wider sustainability objectives.
According to Doğukan Şimşek, General Manager at AVS Global Ship Supply, the sector must recognise the impact that responsible procurement, operational efficiency and sustainable service delivery can have on the industry's environmental and social performance.
"The fundamental message we want AVS Global Ship Supply's UN Global Compact membership to convey to the maritime industry as a whole is that ship supply is no longer just a traditional logistical operation meeting instantaneous orders. On the contrary, it has become one of the most critical links in global sustainability targets and business ethics," said Mr Şimşek.
As sustainability expectations continue to increase across shipping, AVS Global Ship Supply believes suppliers have a key role to play in supporting shipowners' environmental and corporate responsibility objectives through innovative services, operational transparency and long-term strategic partnerships.
The company has incorporated sustainability initiatives across its operations, including its Seafarers' Wellbeing programme, which supports the quality of life and rights of seafarers, and its partnership with Aquarex, which provides onboard sustainable water filtration solutions designed to help vessels reduce plastic waste.
AVS Global Ship Supply is also investing in digitalisation through the development of an AI-powered customer portal, AVS+, aimed at improving transparency, forecasting vessel requirements and reducing unnecessary supplies and food waste.
Alongside its environmental initiatives, the company is prioritising training and workforce development through Ekol Maritime Training Center. Drawing on 40 plus years of sector experience, AVS Global Ship Supply uses the centre and its digital Learning Management System (LMS) platform to provide continuous training opportunities for maritime professionals, including ship cooks, with a focus on operational efficiency, menu planning and portion control to help reduce food waste onboard vessels.
According to Mr Şimşek, sustainable business practices and commercial growth should not be viewed as competing priorities.
"We want to demonstrate to the sector that commercial growth and acting responsibly toward the planet and people do not contradict each other; instead, it is a prerequisite for becoming a permanent and reputable actor in the global market," he said.
AVS Global Ship Supply joined the United Nations Global Compact as part of its commitment to sustainability, human rights, labour standards and ethical business practices. The company says the framework continues to guide its decision-making and supports its ambition to deliver services that align with the future needs of the global maritime industry.Looking ahead, AVS Global Ship Supply believes sustainability will continue to shape the future of ship supply, with increasing emphasis on transparency, measurable environmental performance and responsible business conduct across the maritime supply chain.
"Our capability to integrate technology into our processes and our strength in forecasting needs before they even arise on the field, combined with the global legitimacy brought by UNGC principles, will allow us to position ourselves in the international arena not just as a supplier, but as a visionary solution partner," concluded Mr Şimşek.
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