While developed by Thome the platform is aimed at the maritime business as whole and a consortium of businesses has negotiated contracts with key suppliers covering the main supply essentials.

Related: Thome makes first step to ‘cashless vessel’ with ShipMoney

Pricing will be standardised providing complete transparency and reducing the time consuming process of suppliers quoting to individual customers.

“The aim of this project is to create an Amazon-like marketplace where ship operators will have access to fair pricing with good geographical coverage of supply,” said Peter Schellenberger VP Supply Chain Thome Ship Management.

Related: Carsten Rehder in shipmanagement joint venture with Thome

The platform will use the latest technology to create intuitive functionality and will include reporting systems using AI analytics so suppliers and ship operators can work more efficiently and seamlessly together,” he added.

Commenting on the award, Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry), MPA said, “We fully support this project in modernising and automating the ship supplies value chain process that fosters trust and transparency between suppliers and purchasers. There is great momentum in digitalising and using technologies such as 3D printing and drone deliveries."