Global maritime operations rely heavily on timely procurement of supplies provisions, spare parts, consumables often under tight schedules and high stakes. Traditionally, this process involves fragmented communication: phone calls, emails, spreadsheets, and manual reconciliation. These outdated systems create inefficiencies, inflated costs, and delayed deliveries especially in remote ports. ShipsKart emerged to fix these issues by digitizing procurement for vessels, ship managers, and ports, enabling a modern, transparent, and centralized ordering process. 

Timely procurement is vital to maintaining ship readiness and avoiding costly downtime. The maritime supply chain is complex spanning multiple stakeholders, vast geographies, and unpredictable logistics. By digitizing this with a mobile-first platform, ShipsKart addresses the urgent need to reduce lead times, improve visibility, and lower costs especially in offshore and remote port contexts.

ShipsKart was co-founded by four industry experts with diverse yet complementary backgrounds. Captain Dhruv Sawhney, the CEO, is a Master Mariner with over 14 years of experience at sea on oil tankers, bulk carriers, and offshore vessels, whose firsthand encounters with procurement challenges inspired the creation of ShipsKart. Vivek Sahi, the COO, brings his extensive maritime expertise as a former Chief Officer in fleet and offshore operations to drive the company’s operational growth. Sunny Bagla, serving as CFO, is a qualified lawyer and finance professional who leads the financial strategy and ensures regulatory compliance. Dr. Abhimanyu V., the CTO, holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering with a focus on AI/ML, and spearheads the company’s digital and technological development.

ShipsKart functions as a unified maritime procurement platform accessible via mobile and web where vessels, managers, and vendors collaborate seamlessly. Use cases include:

• Single-point ordering: Provisioning ship stores, spare parts, and services.
• Order tracking: Real-time updates from order placement through delivery.
• Cost benchmarking: Price comparisons, spending history, and budgeting tools.
• Inventory & logistics coordination: Integration with port warehouses and delivery partners.
• Vendor management: Access to a network of 500+ verified suppliers across 40 countries 

Reported benefits: ~20% cost savings, ~40% improved efficiency, ~30% reduction in man-hours.

ShipsKart functions as a digital B2B marketplace tailored specifically for the maritime industry, streamlining the procurement of supplies for ships and offshore platforms. The platform connects shipowners, fleet managers, and vessel crews with a global network of verified suppliers through a centralized digital interface. When a vessel or procurement officer needs provisions, spare parts, or technical supplies, they can browse ShipsKart’s catalog, request quotes, and place orders directly from the platform. Suppliers receive these requests in real time, respond with pricing and availability, and once selected, arrange delivery to the vessel’s next port of call.

What makes ShipsKart particularly powerful is its full-cycle procurement management. Orders can be tracked end-to-end, from placement to fulfillment, with real-time updates that improve visibility for both buyers and suppliers. ShipsKart also includes spend analytics, budgeting tools, and vendor benchmarking all of which support cost-effective decision-making. Integration with fleet management software and computer maintenance management systems (CMMS) allows data from ShipsKart to automatically sync with broader vessel operations, reducing manual entry and the risk of error.

For seafarers, the system simplifies supply requests and eliminates the traditional lag in communications that occur over email and fax. For companies, it ensures transparency, reduces procurement lead times, and lowers administrative overhead. By digitizing procurement workflows, ShipsKart enhances operational efficiency, cuts costs, and builds resilience in maritime supply chains especially valuable in remote or unpredictable port environments.

The platform offers several key advantages for maritime procurement. It provides enhanced transparency and control through real-time order tracking and integrated budgeting tools, enabling operators to monitor spending and logistics with precision. In terms of cost efficiency, users report approximately 20% savings on both product and delivery expenses. Procurement cycles are also accelerated by around 40%, boosting operational speed and responsiveness. Designed with a mobile-first approach, the platform remains accessible even in remote port locations, ensuring functionality regardless of infrastructure limitations. Additionally, it is built for scalability, supporting over 500 suppliers across multiple countries and integrating seamlessly with ERP and CMMS systems.

However, certain limitations present opportunities for further development. Coverage gaps still exist, particularly in select ports like those in India, where fulfillment centers are under expansion. The platform’s service quality also depends heavily on its vendor network, which may vary by region or supplier. For larger enterprise clients, the solution may currently lack the depth of ERP customization required for highly complex operations. Moreover, while AI-enabled procurement agents are in progress, their full capabilities are still being developed in collaboration with partners such as Zams.

Key Partnerships & Clients

• PortXL 2018: Recognized as one of the “Most Innovative Startups.”
• PTI/TOI Mar 2022: Series A led by Trail Mix Ventures and Hermes Offshore, backed by Motion Ventures, Tradeworks.vc, Eternia.
• Makini API (CMMS): Integration enables automated provisioning workflows and ERP compatibility 
• Clients: Fleet Management, Nautilus Shipping, MOL, Jindal Steel, and more, with vendor and logistics networks in 40+ countries.

ShipsKart is transforming maritime procurement through digitization, reducing friction in ordering, tracking, and spending. Backed by strong domain expertise, a global vendor base, and robust investor backing, it offers a scalable, transparent, and efficient platform. As fulfillment, AI agent integration, and enterprise-grade features evolve, ShipsKart is set to become a cornerstone in smart maritime supply chains.

References

• Inc42. (n.d.). Shipskart – total funding, funding over time… Retrieved from Inc42. new.marexmedia.com
• Motion Ventures. (n.d.). Founders’ Spotlight Series: ShipsKart. Retrieved from Motion Ventures. motion.vc
• TechNode Global Staff. (2022, March 16). Singapore’s ShipsKart raises $2.7M Series A funding led by TMV and Hermes Offshore. Retrieved from TechNode Global. inc42.com
• PTI via Times of India. (2022, March 16). ShipsKart raises Rs 20.5 cr from Trail Mix Ventures, others. Times of India.  timesofindia.indiatimes.com
• TMV. (n.d.). Meet Shipskart. Retrieved from TMV VC website. tmvfund.medium.com
• ShipsKart Marine Private Ltd. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from ShipsKart

Contributor: Ariana Tri Asti
Reviewer : Imam Buchari, David Ratner