INSIGHTS FROM THE RS MARITIME ROUNDTABLE
By Gorm Bradshaw, Kate Bradshaw & Dave van der Stel
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 2025: The maritime and offshore industry stands at a crossroads. From digitalisation to sustainability, and from global collaboration to resilience, it’s a sector continuously evolving to meet new expectations. To explore these transformations, RS experts Gorm Bradshaw, Kate Bradshaw, and Dave Van Der Stel joined Adam Pridmore for an in-depth roundtable discussion on how innovation, sustainability, and partnership are shaping the next wave of maritime operations.
From Offline to Online: A Changing Industry
Over the past decades, maritime purchasing has transformed dramatically. Once an offline, RFQ-driven process, today’s buyers increasingly rely on digital platforms for sourcing, data sheets, and technical insights. As Kate noted, “We are seeing a huge shift in buyer behaviour and global reach of product requirement, vessels now send fewer RFQs because data is available online to the end user and the vessel directly.”
This digitalisation also allows RS to connect more directly with those working on board rather than through intermediaries, offering faster, more informed support.
Key Challenges: Availability and Trust
For an industry where time equals money, product availability and delivery speed remain critical. As Gorm explained, a vessel may only be in port for a few hours, and any delay can cost operators hundreds of thousands per hour. “We are able to deliver within 24 hours. If you order online, it goes straight into our system, you will receive your confirmation within minutes, and it will ship express overnight,” he noted. To tackle this, RS leverages its global logistics network to ensure rapid response and seamless cooperation between markets, for instance, coordinating deliveries between the Netherlands and the UK within hours.
Building trust has also been essential. As Dave noted, in the past some saw RS as a competitor; today we are partners, working closely with local suppliers to bring its quality and range on board vessels.
Partnerships Beyond Supply
Partnerships, the experts agreed, are far more than transactional relationships, they are built on collaboration, foresight, and shared accountability. As Kate explained, many customers used to approach RS with a simple shopping list. Today, however, the relationship is much more strategic. “We don’t just take a shopping list, we drive the process,” she said. “Our role is to anticipate needs, plan ahead, and make our customers’ lives easier.”
This proactive mindset reflects a wider cultural shift within RS’s maritime operations, one where partnerships are driven by trust, efficiency, and a long-term view. Instead of merely responding to orders, RS works alongside customers to understand their maintenance cycles, anticipate upcoming port calls, and ensure critical parts arrive where and when they’re needed.
Delivering that level of partnership means providing flexibility, reliable logistics, and complete transparency, from product data and certifications to export compliance. It is a commitment that gives customers confidence at every stage of their operations, whether their vessels are docked in Rotterdam, Stavanger, or sailing halfway around the world.
Sustainability at Sea
At the recent IMPA Fair, one theme clearly dominated discussions: sustainability. Across seminars and exhibitor stands, ESG practices, carbon reduction, and responsible sourcing took centre stage. As Gorm noted during the roundtable, shipowners are now competing to see which vessels can operate the most efficiently, reflecting how deeply environmental performance has become embedded in the industry’s mindset.
This growing commitment extends beyond emissions. Conversations also focused on hazardous materials, recycling, and lifecycle management of essential supplies such as paints, batteries, and adhesives, all of which present both operational and environmental challenges for vessel operators.
To support customers on this journey, RS launched its Better World Products range around 18 months ago, a curated selection of more sustainable products backed by transparent data and certifications. This initiative empowers buyers to make informed, responsible choices without compromising on quality or availability.
As Gorm explained, sustainability is no longer a secondary consideration: “Customers are not just open to sustainable options, they are actively chasing them. They want suppliers who can guide them towards greener solutions.”
Resilience and the Road Ahead
Despite global disruptions, the maritime industry continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. As Kate explained, while economic shifts inevitably affect global trade, maritime remains one of the world’s most stable sectors, with around 80% of global goods transported by sea. Even during the pandemic, when many industries stalled, maritime demand remained strong. “You can shut the world down, but the vessels are still going to sail,” she noted.
The experts agreed that RS’s role within this ecosystem is to stay adaptable, data-driven, and customer-focused, helping partners navigate change while supporting global supply continuity. From the adoption of electric ferries in Scandinavia to the industry’s growing focus on decarbonisation and efficiency, adaptability is now at the heart of progress.
As Kate concluded, “Maritime isn’t going away, it is only getting stronger, and we are proud to be part of that journey.”
Watch the Full Discussion
The highlights shared here represent only a fraction of the valuable insights covered. Watch the full Maritime Roundtable Discussion from RS to hear directly from our experts as they discuss the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the future of the maritime industry. Watch the full video on the RS South Africa website.