At GenPro’s 5th Annual Blue Day in Limassol, industry leaders emphasised that effective AI integration in maritime sourcing hinges on structured data, clear governance, and realistic adoption strategies to unlock its transformative potential.
GenPro’s 5th Annual Blue Day, held in Limassol on 25 November 2025, convened a diverse group of procurement specialists, shipmanagement leaders, and technology experts to explore the practical integration of artificial intellig...
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ence (AI) in maritime sourcing and procurement. The event, themed “Single Point of Truth: Turning AI into Action in Sourcing and Procurement,” underscored the imperative for structured data and robust governance frameworks as AI technologies become increasingly embedded in day-to-day maritime operations.
The core discussions unfolded as a fireside chat featuring Maria Theodosiou, Managing Director of GenPro; Christina Orfanidou, Head of Group AI at Columbia Group; and Margarita Maimonis, CEO of Exelia Technologies. Addressing a hybrid audience of in-person attendees and online viewers, they examined how AI promises to revolutionise procurement while cautioning against common pitfalls related to data quality and organisational readiness.
Opening the dialogue, Ms Theodosiou emphasised that AI is no panacea for disorganised or inconsistent data. “AI cannot fix chaos. AI is not magic. Your data needs to be consistent. If your data is inconsistent, AI will simply automate the chaos faster,” she remarked. This assertion highlights a critical foundation for successful AI implementation: even minor errors in catalogues, pricing, or part numbers can distort analytics, skew performance reporting, and erode trust in procurement decisions.
Building on this, Ms Maimonis stressed the importance of measured, realistic adoption strategies. “You cannot think you are going to take on the whole beast from A to Z. You have to digitise processes, remove fragmentation and start small with one realistic use case,” she advised. She pointed out that many AI projects falter because of vague business cases and unrealistic expectations that technology alone can resolve structural procurement issues.
A significant portion of the event focused on governance and regulatory frameworks essential for reliable AI use. Ms Orfanidou discussed the crucial role of disciplined data structures and continuous monitoring, referencing pioneering regulations such as the European Union’s AI Act and the forthcoming ISO 42001 standard for AI system management. She urged the industry to establish classification schemes, key performance indicators for data quality, and clear ownership. “The maritime industry is very data-intensive, but data is still scattered. Building a single point of truth is the foundation for both AI and reliable reporting,” she explained.
The practical benefits of AI were also explored in terms of workforce transformation. Ms Maimonis noted the potential for AI to eliminate repetitive, mundane tasks, thereby liberating human talent to focus on more creative and valuable work. This shift aligns with evolving employee expectations, particularly among younger maritime professionals who increasingly demand AI-enabled workplaces. Ms Orfanidou highlighted that thoughtful AI adoption can aid companies in attracting and retaining skilled staff, securing a competitive edge in a talent-driven market.
The panel concluded with Ms Theodosiou emphasising that AI will not replace human roles but rather enhance decision-making for teams that invest in sound data governance and develop their people and tools effectively. “Teams who structure and govern their data will move faster and make better decisions. If we invest in our people, their skills and the right tools, we can use AI to enhance what we do best,” she said.
GenPro, a maritime and commercial procurement company established in 2018, serves a fleet of over 1,200 vessels and has steadily integrated ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria into its procurement ethos. Their ‘Procurement with Purpose’ approach reflects the sector’s wider shift towards sustainability and responsible sourcing, which aligns with broader industry dialogues on green transition and climate resilience highlighted in recent maritime conferences.
The broader context of AI adoption in maritime operations has been emphasised in forums such as the Capital Link Shipping Forum, where speakers like Dr Christina Orfanidou , also Director of Engineering AI & Data at Deloitte Cyprus , have advocated for responsible, trustworthy AI integration. Dr Orfanidou’s presentations stress that AI adoption transcends technology, requiring cultural change, governance structures, risk management, and stakeholder engagement to be successful.
As the maritime industry faces tightening regulation, evolving ESG mandates, and an urgent need for digital transformation, events like GenPro’s Blue Day underline a clear consensus: AI holds transformative potential if approached with disciplined data governance, realistic expectations, and a commitment to workforce empowerment. The evolving legal and standardisation landscape, including the EU AI Act and ISO 42001, will shape the responsibilities and opportunities for maritime procurement specialists in this new era of AI-enabled operations.
Source: Noah Wire Services
