A growing number of maritime suppliers are being flagged for cyber vulnerabilities as shipowners tighten supply-chain due diligence and demand verified ESG and data-security credentials.
According to new findings from Achilles Network, more than 28% of maritime parts and service suppliers assessed over the past year were rated as having high or very-high cyber risk. The data stems from a 12-month review covering more than 1,000 global suppliers, examining environmental, social, governance and cyber performance.
The results coincide with the rollout of Achilles’ verified ESG and cyber indicators inside Procureship’s e-procurement platform, giving buyers third-party-verified supplier data during procurement. According to Athens-based Procureship, the integration allows shipowners and managers to identify supplier weaknesses earlier and benchmark ESG and compliance standards directly within their purchasing workflows.
“Understanding the ESG capabilities of suppliers across the maritime industry is crucial to safeguard the day-to-day operations of global shipowners and reinforce their own ESG strategies,” said Grigoris Lamprou, CEO and co-founder of Procureship.
The review also found that more than half of suppliers assessed lack third-party-assured anti-bribery systems, public liability insurance, or information-security policies. About 25% do not yet measure their greenhouse gas emissions, while over half rely on uncertified carbon systems. Still, nearly half of those surveyed have implemented certified environmental management systems, and around 13% have decarbonisation plans in place.
Achilles CEO Craig Rodgerson said the findings highlight how shipowners are moving from reactive to predictive risk management. “Shipping companies are increasingly using data-driven insights to strengthen supplier relations and address environmental and cyber vulnerabilities,” he said.
The findings underline how cyber and ESG due diligence are becoming central to shipowners’ procurement strategies, as regulatory pressure and digitalisation reshape the industry’s risk landscape.
