Achilles, a global leader in supply chain risk and performance management, recently hosted members of the Achilles Maritime Network Business Advisory Group at Posidonia 2026. The international shipping exhibition was used as the backdrop for a strategic meeting focused on strengthening supplier assurance, risk management, and supply chain resilience across the maritime sector.
Chaired by Peter Schellenberger, the meeting brought together representatives from the international shipping organisation and members of the Achilles Maritime Network including BW LPG, BW LNG, and Alberta Shipmanagement, to review progress across the network, gather member feedback, and identify collaborative opportunities to increase value for both buyers and suppliers.
A central theme of the discussion was how to expand participation in the Maritime Network supplier community and better understand the scale of industry representation already within it. Members noted that current organisations in the network collectively represent approximately 2,500–3,000 vessels, and agreed that clearer visibility of this footprint would strengthen the network’s value proposition and support future supplier engagement.
Members also explored the development of a more collaborative supplier audit model to reduce duplication and improve assurance efficiency across the industry. Discussions covered the value of sharing audit outcomes, the importance of maintaining independent supplier approval decisions within each member organisation, and opportunities to explore ESG-focused audits, local-language worker interviews, and future alignment with emerging assurance frameworks such as DOOSE.
Cyber security emerged as one of the most relevant topics discussed during the meeting. Members confirmed that cyber risk is a growing concern across maritime supply chains, with discussions focusing on supply chain cyber vulnerability assessments, supplier-level cyber risk reviews, cyber audits, and the practical remediation steps suppliers can take to improve resilience. Achilles demonstrated their platform’s cyber risk monitoring capabilities through Orpheus, and the group agreed that cyber risk should become a priority workstream for the Maritime Network. Achilles is also set to develop a dedicated cyber risk initiative and next-step proposal for the Network, as well as explore cyber risk assessment and supplier improvement programmes.
The meeting also addressed supplier risk screening, self-assessment, and engagement models, particularly for smaller suppliers operating in the Greek maritime market. Members discussed the need for proportionate approaches based on supplier size and maturity, including simplified questionnaires and tailored engagement pathways designed to improve participation without compromising assurance standards.
Alongside these operational priorities, members underlined the importance of clearer communication and stronger internal adoption of existing data and services across participating organisations. The group also agreed that more frequent engagement would help maintain momentum, with support expressed for quarterly Business Advisory Group meetings and wider member sessions every two months.
Commenting on the meeting, Peter Schellenberger, Chair of the Achilles Maritime Network Business Advisory Group, said:
“The discussions at Posidonia reinforced the importance of working together as an industry to strengthen supplier assurance, improve risk visibility, and make better use of the data and expertise already available across the Maritime Network.
“What came through clearly is that members want practical, collaborative solutions, whether that is shared audits, improved cyber resilience, or more tailored engagement for suppliers of different sizes. In an increasingly challenging operating environment, the actions agreed give us a strong platform to build on as we continue to develop the Network.”
The meeting concluded with agreement on a series of next steps, including the development of a dedicated cyber risk initiative, further work on collaborative audit models, clearer articulation of network scale, and increased member engagement.
With more than 30 years of experience in supply chain transparency, risk management, ESG and carbon management, Achilles is well equipped to support the maritime sector in strengthening supply chain resilience through deeper supplier insight, compliance, and proactive risk management.
Source: Achilles Maritime Network
