The newly formed Global Maritime Procurement Council (GMPC) will hold its inaugural meeting at the IMPA London event, highlighting a commitment to enhancing industry standards and driving sustainable practices across the maritime supply chain.
The newly established Global Maritime Procurement Council (GMPC) is set to convene its first meeting in person and online at the International Marine Purchasing Association (IMPA) London event on 9 and 10 September 2025. This inaugural gathering represents a significant step toward fostering collaboration among procurement heads from leading shipping and ship management companies, with a focus on elevating standards and driving transformative change in maritime supply chain management.
Formed as an independent forum, the GMPC brings together the procurement leadership from ten major global ship owners and managers, including Axia Maritime, BW LPG, d’Amico Shipping, Fleet Management, Scorpio Ship Management, Synergy Marine Group, and Wilhelmsen Ship Management. Collectively, these members oversee a fleet of over 3,000 vessels, underscoring the council’s considerable reach and influence in the maritime sector.
The council’s primary agenda is ambitious. It aims to advance global standards, enhance sustainability practices, and integrate data-driven procurement approaches across the maritime industry. Paolo Magonio, head of group procurement and services at Scorpio Ship Management and acting chair of the GMPC, emphasised the council’s commitment to innovation, harmonisation, education, and transformation. Speaking to industry observers, he highlighted that the group’s efforts are geared towards delivering genuine value not only to ship operating companies but also to the broader maritime supply chain ecosystem.
This initiative aligns with recent industry-wide movements focused on sustainability and improved environmental accountability. For instance, the IMPA Environmental Footprint (IMEF) Working Group, launched earlier in 2025, has been dedicated to formulating a standard methodology for calculating Scope 3 emissions within maritime procurement. This development marks a concerted effort by shipping companies, suppliers, and procurement specialists to establish more transparent and measurable sustainability targets.
Further complementing these efforts is the Marine Supply Chain Sustainability Standard (MSCSS), introduced in 2023 by IMPA in collaboration with GP General Procurement Company Limited. This pioneering standard sets minimum Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria for marine suppliers and service providers, enabling them to certify their level of sustainability maturity. These parallel advancements underscore the sector’s growing recognition of procurement as a critical lever for environmental and ethical responsibility.
The GMPC’s launch at the IMPA London event, a key industry gathering held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster, underscores the importance of such platforms in fostering dialogue and collaboration. IMPA’s annual events are well-known for bringing together maritime professionals from around the globe to debate the latest trends in procurement and supply chain management.
As the GMPC embarks on its journey, the shipping industry watches closely. The council’s ability to harmonise procurement practices across a diverse and global fleet, improve sustainability metrics, and apply data analytics effectively could mark a turning point. Achieving these goals would not only optimise operational efficiencies but also contribute meaningfully to the broader imperative of maritime environmental stewardship.
In summary, the formation and forthcoming meeting of the Global Maritime Procurement Council represents a pivotal initiative in reshaping maritime procurement. By uniting key stakeholders and focusing on innovation and sustainability, the GMPC aims to generate significant and lasting value within one of the world’s most critical industries.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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