The Hidden Costs of Poor Provision Planning - And How to Avoid Them

Date: 08 May 2025

For many shipowners and operators, food provisions are seen as a simple cost and a necessary expense to keep the crew fed and operational. But poor planning in food provisioning does not just affect your budget. It can lead to hidden costs that impact efficiency, compliance and crew morale.

Garrets specialises in optimising the supply of provisions and stores to ensure that vessels receive fresh food and high-quality stores consumables on time and within budget. We help fleets cut unnecessary costs, optimise supply chains and improve crew well-being – all while ensuring compliance and efficiency.

Here’s what you should watch out for when planning your vessel's provisioning and how to avoid costly mistakes.

1. Overstocking Leads to Waste

Over-ordering of food provisions might seem like a safe approach, but without proper stock management, perishable goods expire before use. This leads to unnecessary food waste and regulatory challenges when disposing of food at sea. Our advanced stock planning solutions including nutritional breakdown per crew member help vessels order the right quantities, reducing food waste, optimising costs and recommended nutritional profile.

2. Understocking Disrupts Operations

Running out of essentials can force last-minute, high-cost orders at ports with limited supply options. This not only increases costs but also disrupts meal planning for the crew. With Garrets' tailored provisioning plans, vessels receive sufficient quantities at the best-value ports, matching the number of covering days, manning, on-board inventory and agreed budget.

3. Sourcing from Inconsistent Suppliers

Not all provisions are equal. Inconsistent quality and unreliable supply chains can lead to compliance risks and dissatisfied crew. Garrets works with a global network of audited, compliant suppliers, ensuring safe food, high quality and compliance with international regulations.

Learn more about Our Global Supplier Network.

4. Hidden Logistical Costs

A cheaper order upfront does not always mean cost savings in the long run. Unexpected port fees, storage costs or lower product yields due to poor quality can quickly add up. Our supply chain expertise ensures cost-effective, streamlined deliveries to optimise your total expenditure. We guide you to the best-value ports for sourcing specific provision categories.

5. Impact on Crew Welfare

A well-fed crew is a productive crew. Poor provisioning can affect crew satisfaction, leading to lower morale and reduced efficiency onboard. Garrets goes beyond supply – we focus on crew well-being, helping vessels provide nutritious, high-quality meals that support health and performance.

Learn more about our focus on crew well-being, which is based on the MLC 2006 regulation.

Get in touch

Would you like to know more about how you can simplify your Provision and Stores Management? Let us know here.