Streamlining maritime supply chain operations with AI

In the fast-paced world of maritime logistics, time is quite literally money. When vessels need supplies, whether they're commercial ships, cruise liners, or megayachts, delays in quote generation can impact entire supply chains. NeKo Ship Supply, with its strategic locations in Rotterdam and Algeciras, faced this challenge head-on by partnering with SevenLab to revolutionise their quote generation process.

The Challenge

NeKo Ship Supply's comprehensive service offering, which includes provisions, technical consumables, bonded stores, and owner's goods handling, meant dealing with thousands of product lines and varying customer requirements. The traditional quote generation process was time-consuming and labour-intensive, requiring staff to manually match customer requests with available inventory. This process could take hours, potentially causing delays in vessel schedules and increasing operational costs for their clients.

"The maritime industry operates 24/7, and our customers expect rapid responses to their provisioning needs," explains a NeKo Ship Supply representative. "We needed a solution that could handle complex quote requests quickly and accurately, regardless of the time of day or the size of the order."

The Solution

SevenLab's approach to this challenge showcases the power of AI expertise combined with their Software Development as a Service (SDaaS) methodology. The team developed an intelligent quote generation system that could:

• Automatically process incoming provision requests in various formats

• Match each line item with the optimal product from NeKo's inventory using advanced AI algorithms

• Consider multiple factors including price, availability, and specific customer requirements

• Generate accurate quotes within minutes rather than hours

• Scale to handle increasing request volumes without compromising speed or accuracy

The implementation process followed SevenLab's proven methodology, starting with a 7-day Proof of Concept that demonstrated the potential impact of the solution. The system was then refined and expanded through continuous development cycles, with regular updates and improvements based on user feedback and changing business needs.

Technical Innovation

The AI engine at the heart of the solution uses advanced natural language processing and machine learning algorithms to understand and process customer requests accurately. The system can:

• Interpret different product descriptions and specifications

• Handle multiple languages common in international shipping

• Learn from previous matches to improve accuracy over time

• Adapt to new products and changing market conditions

• Process bulk requests efficiently

Results and Impact

The implementation of SevenLab's AI-powered quote generation system has transformed NeKo Ship Supply's operations in several key ways:

1. Speed: Quote generation time has been reduced from hours to just minutes, enabling faster response times to customer requests.

2. Accuracy: The AI system's matching capabilities ensure consistent and accurate product selection, reducing errors and improving customer satisfaction.

3. Efficiency: Staff can now focus on value-added tasks rather than manual quote generation, improving overall operational efficiency.

4. Scalability: The system can handle increasing request volumes without requiring additional resources, supporting NeKo's growth plans.

Customer Satisfaction: Faster quote generation has led to improved customer service and strengthened NeKo's competitive position in the maritime supply industry.

Future Developments

The success of this initial implementation has opened up possibilities for further AI-driven improvements in NeKo's operations. SevenLab continues to work closely with NeKo Ship Supply to identify additional opportunities for innovation and efficiency gains through their SDaaS model.

This project exemplifies SevenLab's ability to deliver practical AI solutions that address real business challenges. By combining their technical expertise with a deep understanding of industry needs, SevenLab has helped NeKo Ship Supply maintain its position as a leading maritime services provider while preparing for future growth and innovation.