MESH digitizes global ship supply and optimizes the purchasing process in shipping companies with innovative solutions.
The maritime marketplace connects the professionals on board directly with the local suppliers on shore and leads all stakeholders to an efficient and cost-effective supply chain. The maritime start-up was founded in 2020 and is based on a concept that has already been tested on board since 2015 and has an existing proof of concept.
MESH is the only tool in the world that guarantees sufficient and healthy food for the crew on board at all times, while at the same time ensuring budget compliance.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
MESH: MESH offers a cloud-based purchasing platform for provisions and technical equipment for the global cargo shipping industry. Possible expansions concern other maritime sectors, such as passenger shipping, inland shipping, the navy or similar. In addition, our concept can be transferred very easily to the hotel industry and the trades. Focused markets are Asia, India and Greece. In general, however, the whole world is of interest and the system can be applied to all types and sizes of ships.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
MESH: In the near future, we will also be handling the large area of spare parts via our platform. This means engine parts, valves and everything else needed to maintain the ship. In the near future, we will also be handling the large area of spare parts via our platform. This means engine parts, valves and everything else needed to maintain the vessel.
In addition, the modules Ropes & wires, Medicine, PPE, as well as paints and a manufacturer’s integration already under development.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
MESH: MESH (Maritime Electronic Supply Hub) primarily takes care of the provisions on board the ships. For a sailor, food is the most important entertainment during his time at sea and a major part of mental well-being. Furthermore, MESH maps all technical consumer goods, i.e. from the cotton rag to the retaining valve.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
MESH: Shipping is a very traditional market that finds innovation and digitalization extremely difficult. The market is full of personal sensitivities and emotional dependence on outdated and obsolete structures. Digitalization 4.0 has been a topic of conversation for many years, but there is no great will to adapt and change.
This, of course, is also a great opportunity for innovative start-ups to be pioneers and convince the industry of the many benefits of digitalization. The history of the industrial revolutions has shown that innovation has helped to be more efficient and improve people’s working conditions. The task now is to transfer this to the maritime world.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
MESH: The biggest task for shipping is decarbonization and the switch to more environmentally friendly propulsion systems. In the marine equipment sector, where we operate, there is a trend towards outsourcing to Asia and India. Cost reduction has recently been at the top of the agenda. In the meantime, however, it is turning around a bit again, because it has been shown that cost reduction alone does not bring higher efficiency. In general, and due to the Corona pandemic, many big players have increased their market share and many small ones could not survive. There is a lot of networking and merging and a high demand for transparency, but the idea of competition often still stands in the way of this demand.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
MESH: The world of shipping is very extensive. There are very many different areas and correspondingly many different innovations. In our field, platforms and marketplaces are currently very popular, and since we also offer a unique concept for purchasing efficiency, MESH is currently state-of-the-art. In addition, alternative propulsion systems, various virtual reality solutions and autonomous shipping are of course the big topics of the moment.
E.E: What estimations do you have for the rest of 2022?
MESH: The development of economic mergers to increase market power will certainly continue. The aforementioned tasks of the shipping industry are big issues and cannot be solved in the short term, so a lot will certainly have to be done and a high pace maintained.