LUXEMBOURG's international logistics services provider, Logwin, says demand for its ship parts logistics special service has surged 28 per cent in the last three years with an increasing number of ships only ordering spare parts when they need them to save procurement and storage costs.

The company said shipowners are benefiting from cooperation with a logistics specialist because they can save costs as a result of improved transport conditions. Storage space for own equipment is limited on ships and it is impossible to carry several replacement parts for every important component.

While several parts used to be carried for each of the most important technical components for navigation, the bridge and machinery, most ships today usually only have a single part on board.

"The trend is clearly away from storing spare parts on board and towards ordering them when required," said Logwin air-sea COO Helmut Kaspers. This saves space, and last but not least, costs. But a replacement must be delivered quickly when a part breaks down. Idle times are expensive. If a ship cannot leave port its schedule and cost structures are disrupted. A fast, global delivery service is the answer.

"It doesn't matter whether it's a small electronic component, an entire crank shaft or an anchor chain weighing several tonnes - we can supply ships and shipyards with all types of replacement parts and components," said Mr Kaspers.

For transportation Logwin can call on the many synergies it enjoys as an international logistics services provider. "Our ship parts customers benefit from the highest level of service at the most favourable conditions when booking freight space, planning transport capacities and arranging interim storage," he said.

Shipments reach their destination by air freight, sea freight or truck in the shortest possible time. "An order is sometimes so urgent that we have to deliver the replacement parts half way around the world within 48 hour of receipt of the order," he said.

Logwin has 18 regional ship parts logistics centres in Athens, Bangkok, Dubai, Hamburg, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Larnaca, London, Miami, Milan, Perth, Sao Paulo, Santiago de Chile, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Valletta.

Meanwhile, the company will be taking part in the international Marintec China Exhibition - the maritime industry's largest trade fair in Asia - which will be held in Shanghai from November 29 to December 4. It is the fifth time that the company will be exhibiting at Marintec China, which has been taking place every two years for the past 30 years.