Digital insights ease the cost and complexity of marine lubricant

Digitalisation in shipping is rapidly disrupting traditional business models, while bringing more transparency and data-driven insights to improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and lower opex. Closelink GmbH has brought that transparency and insight to procuring marine lubricants.

Shipowners and managers who use the Closelink’s web-based procurement platform can build their purchasing strategies and manage their inventory for their fleet based on analytics from current and historical lubricant usage data. Better procurement planning can result in more efficiency and cost savings, lowering opex. A software as a service provider, Closelink has developed a procurement platform for lubricants that serves 1,500 vessels in operation.

One of the key value propositions for using the platform, explains Closelink regional business development manager, Aneeshmon Thankappan, is cost savings. “As per our existing client’s experience, we deliver 5 to 15% tangible savings in lubricant opex.” That’s significant. As an example of a successful partnership, he cites BW LPG. “By leveraging Closelink’s data-driven insights and recommendations, BW LPG saved 8% on their annual lubricant opex with an attractive return on investment,” says Mr Thankappan. 

Another key value is time savings. “Time is money in shipping,” says Mr Thankappan. The platform has streamlined the procurement process and reduced its complexity while making it more efficient and cost effective. The gains in efficiency, simplicity and transparency are unparallelled. Closelink enables and empowers transformation of the procurement process of our customers. Having my varied background among ship owners, ship manager, charterer and brand ambassador of a national oil company  – I can vouch for that, he says. “For our customers, people are core of their agenda, and they invest in our digital tool, which enhances people’s efficiency and effectiveness” he adds as he leverages service mindedness, entrepreneurial spirit, investor and philanthropic mindset to create win-win partnerships with customers.

And he points out, using Closelink can eliminate last-minute deliveries as far as practicable. “We make the procurement process more proactive rather than reactive by providing data-driven insights for decision making. Automated alerts monitoring stock levels, consumption and key parts enable the procurement team to utilise data-driven decision making. Working closely with clients through regular analyses and reporting fosters strong partnerships and continuous improvement”.

In 2024, Closelink introduced the Calculated Average Consumption functionality to provide valuable lubricant ​insights​ for ships based on analysing the current and historical remaining on board (ROB) data, then calculating the average daily consumption between measurements​ on a rolling 90-day basis​. Closelink uses existing ROB data received from vessels’ noon reports, from central data warehouses, or directly from integrated fleet performance systems, such as NAVTOR​.​

“By means of data integrations, we enable our customers to make the best decisions to ensure reliable short, medium and long-term supply of the commodities in the best way possible,” he emphasises, as a firm believer of digital sustainability.

One of his takeaways relates to his personal experience with the B2B and B2C sides of the industry, “First, kindness is often underrated in the business. In a world obsessed with competition, sometimes the best thing to do is to simply be a kind person. Second, in the service industry, prioritising excellent service, building trust and nurturing client relationships are essential for business success”, he concludes.