Q: What is Marcas’ aim?

A: Marcas’ aim is to be the world’s leading independent contracting association for the shipping industry. The association is harnessing the combined buying power of more than 350+ vessels.

Q: How do members benefit?

A: The combined buying power of the existing membership enables Marcas to establish worldwide supply contracts at the optimum terms and conditions available. As more members join, Marcas uses this increase in purchasing volume to achieve the best overall terms available.

Q: How do suppliers benefit?

A: Suppliers gain access to, and the business potential of, Marcas’ global network of members who collectively operate over 350+ vessels internationally.

Q: What savings does Marcas hope to achieve?

A: Marcas aims to achieve a minimum of 5% saving on the technical operating cost of many deep-sea vessels. This figure is anticipated to increase in subsequent years as more members join the association and buying power increases.

Q: How does Marcas arrange it’s contracting?

A: Marcas establishes headline worldwide contracts with quality certified manufacturers and suppliers of products and services on the basis of research, selection, negotiation and tender. It is Marcas’ objective to work in partnership with a comprehensive range of high quality/best value suppliers, combining quality, strength and stability.

Q: Who is responsible for purchasing?

A: Members maintain full control of their own purchasing management within the highly advantageous contracts negotiated by Marcas. This means suppliers and members can establish and maintain a direct relationship.

Q: How are members sure of price benefits?

A: Marcas monitors the price competitiveness of their contracts on a continuous basis and in line with market conditions. Marcas also encourages member feedback.

Q: Apart from price benefit, does Marcas offer any other services?

A: Not at present, the main target is to obtain best quality and price for its members.

Q: Who can join Marcas?

A: Marcas is open by invitation to leading owners, operators and third party managers of vessels who purchase spares and consumables and who can commit a significant contribution to the association.

Q: Who can become a Marcas supplier?

A: Marcas suppliers must be leading players in their respective product or service areas, operate to recognised quality standards, offer an excellent level of service and competitive prices that are below general market rates, based on genuine volume discount.

Q: Is Marcas a profit making organisation?

A: Yes. The main commitment is, of course, to offer the membership savings that cannot be achieved individually, and not to produce a large profit for the association, as this would adversely affect the cost of goods on offer. However, as a principle of the association, it produces an income to cover all operating, consultancy and investment costs. This is obtained through a brokerage fee levied on suppliers and is an average of 3%