There is a lot that goes into running a ship, whether it is a cruise ship or a cargo vessel. Every day, hundreds of vessels dock for resupply at various ports around the world due to the growing import-export trade between countries. When shipping conglomerates dock at a port, they rely on ship chandler suppliers for restocking and other services.
If you are looking for a ship chandler in Curaçao, these are the bare minimum of services that ship chandler suppliers in Curaçao should offer.
- Provide Oil Tanker For Refuelling
Fuel is the most basic and necessary supply that a vessel requires. Without fuel, no ship can travel more than a quarter-mile. When a ship arrives in any port, including Curaçao, a team of professionals from the selected Curaçao ship chandler checks the fuel level and refuels the ship. They must provide an oil tanker in time to refuel the ship so that it can depart on time.
- Provide Deck, Mechanical & Engine Spares
Modern ships are outfitted with cutting-edge technologies, equipment, and machinery. They require maintenance not only when docked, but also when at sea. Spare parts and maintenance and repair equipment should be available from your Curaçao ship chandler. This ensures that the crew will be able to repair or replace any deck, mechanical, or engine parts while at sea.
Without the ability or equipment to repair the vessel’s necessary parts, the ship is doomed to break down and capsize in the middle of the sea. Sending a rescue party and vessel, combined with the schedule delay, will cost the shipping company a fortune, endangering the crew’s lives and risking cargo loss.
- Provide Safety Equipment
Safety equipment is critical for the safety of the passengers and cargo on board. Your Curaçao ship chandler should be able to provide SOLAS- and MMD-approved safety equipment. Other safety equipments on the list that are must-haves are:
Immersion suits and chemical suits IMO symbols/signs Pyrotechnics Fire fighting equipment, including hoses with various types of couplings AFFF protein foam and powder extinguishers Breathing devices Lifebuoys, lifejackets amongst others.
When a ship docks, the ship chandler company should be able to assess what safety equipment needs to be replenished and provide it within the specified time frame.
- Provide Medical Supplies
On a ship, there are people. In the event of a medical emergency at sea, it is not possible to simply rush to the hospital. Of course, in life-threatening situations, a patient can be airlifted to an on-land hospital. Other medical emergencies, however, are handled on-board. This necessitates a stock of medicines, medical supplies, and so on. When your ship docks in Curaçao, your Curaçao ship chandlershould be able to provide the necessary medicines, medical equipment, and supplies.
- Restock Provisions
Food and water are the absolute necessities that a crew requires to survive the weeks, if not months, that they spend on their ship in the middle of the ocean. The chandling company must restock cooking supplies such as baking goods, cooking oil, meat, frozen food, and so on. They should also provide fresh drinking water, liquor such as beer and table wine, as well as other beverages and packaged food and snacks.
The ship chandler should be trustworthy enough to send supplies after double-checking the expiry dates and product quality. They should also have a well-equipped warehouse in order to store the products optimally and transport them to the ship in a safe and timely manner.
In Conclusion
The safety of the crew and the cargo are dependent on the smooth operation of a ship, and a ship chandler plays an important role in supplying the goods and essentials that ensure this. If the ship chandler company fails to meet even one of their responsibilities, the shipping company will most likely suffer a significant financial loss, as well as the loss of cargo or, worse, the loss of lives on board, or even the sinking of the vessel.
So, understand exactly what a ship chandler company in Curaçao must provide and make an informed decision.
