What does a half-century of representing ship suppliers across Europe look like? And why is it more relevant than ever in today’s changing trade and customs landscape? Nick Mavrikos, Chair of the Greek Ship Suppliers & Exporters Association, sat down with Executive Director Arne Mielken to reflect on the past, the present, and the future of OCEAN as the organisation approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026.

OCEAN – The European Ship Suppliers Organization – will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, marking five decades of service, advocacy, and industry leadership. Vice-Chair Carl Forsman shares preliminary ideas for a year-long celebration focused on honouring the past, navigating the present, and shaping the future.

The Chair of the Latvian Ship Suppliers Association, Olg Butenko, reflects on the transformative impact of Single Window Systems in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and coordination within Baltic port operations. He highlights how regional collaboration and digital innovation are reshaping ship supply logistics and setting a new standard for maritime trade.

How does the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) impact ship supply? While many suppliers are exempt, sustainability remains a key industry priority, argues Axel Barat

2025: A Year of Growth & Change for European Ship Supply! OCEAN leads the way with regulatory develpments & modernisation, argues the Chair of OCEAN, Costantino Zavoianni.

Leaving Seville, I am filled with immense pride and admiration for what we, as a global ship supply community, have achieved at ISSA 2024. This event, in my memory, has been the most successful ISSA gathering in Europe since I first attended in London in 1975. It was a true testament to the resilience, unity, and strength of our industry—not just in Europe but worldwide.