Page 160 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2024
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MARINE EQUIPMENT
Optimising spare parts purchase management and inventory maintenance practices requires
a multifaceted approach encompassing regulatory compliance, vendor and technical
department engagement, and long-term planning.
PROPER SPARE PARTS
INVENTORIES AND
MANAGEMENT MAY
CONSIDERABLY REDUCE
THE IMMOBILISING OF
CRITICAL EQUIPMENT
By adopting proactive strategies, shipping companies can
enhance operational efficiency, mitigate risks, reduce costs,
and ensure the reliability of maritime equipment.
Balancing Class Requirements and Vendor Standards
Normally, newbuilding specifications dictate the provision of
spare parts in accordance with Class requirements. However,
this immediately leads to ambiguity as Class Societies offer
recommendations rather than strict requirements. At the
same time, some yards refer to vendors’ standards without
providing a list of what these standards are. The provision of
spare parts is negotiated between yards and vendors when
the supply contracts between the two parties are being dis-
cussed.
Reliance on vendor standards - as often proposed by ship-
yards - cannot be absolute, as their standards are frequently
low and easily bent. Many vendors’ project guides state that
the supply of spare parts is optional. A more robust clause
can be proposed to address this issue at the specification dis-
cussion stage, mandating spare parts as per Class and IACS
recommendations or makers’ standards, whichever is higher.
IACS Unified Requirements and Critical Parts
by Stavros Hatzigrigoris, The IACS Unified Requirements were drafted in the 90s and
Advanced Engineering Services remained unchanged until November 2023. MARTECMA
& Zodiac Maritime
and its members exerted considerable pressure on the IACS
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