For most, the supply chain appears to be a straightforward sequence: order, ship, receive. But beneath this apparent simplicity lies a complex network of regulations, decisions and coordination, especially in sectors such as healthcare and maritime, where the margin for error is narrow and the stakes can be life-threatening.

Supply chain management is not just a transactional function. It’s a strategic capability. It’s how we ensure regulatory compliance, protect patient outcomes, support vessel operations and advance the ESG goals of our partners worldwide.

Ordering and shipping are the bookends. The supply chain is everything in between that holds the process together.

Medicine at Sea: A Race Against Time

If the pencils you ordered get stuck in customs at the airport or at the port agents office, nothing happens. They don’t spoil. They don’t lose value. But when the item in transit is a life-saving medication, the equation changes.

We don’t just deliver to addresses. We deliver to moving targets, targets that sail every day to a new location. Our team must get essential medical supplies to vessels anywhere in the world, often under intense time pressure, and that process doesn’t begin with a shipping label. It starts with knowledge.

Knowledge of how customs agencies and health ministries operate in different regions, and which ports are more likely to hold up a shipment. Knowledge of documentation requirements for hazardous materials or controlled substances. And knowledge of how to coordinate a delivery to a ship that may only be in port for a few short hours.

These aren’t typical logistics challenges. Solving for these conditions requires a highly specialized team with deep subject matter expertise and real-time oversight. Our professionals work closely with suppliers, port agents and internal teams to monitor every shipment, manage disruptions and ensure deliveries are timely and compliant. This level of involvement isn’t the industry norm, but we believe it should be.

Another critical aspect of effective supply chain management is the ability to pivot under pressure. While we plan the needs of every medical centre, we manage 8–12 weeks in advance to ensure continuity of care, unforeseen challenges can still arise. In such cases, it’s important to recognise that replenishing medical supplies onboard isn’t as simple as placing a next-day delivery order. That’s why our extensive global network of trusted partners is so vital. It enables us to respond swiftly and effectively, whether it’s fulfilling a last-minute formulary request, sourcing vital medical equipment or supplies, or navigating unexpected disruptions.

Smarter Inventory Management

Inventory management is also treated as a critical function rather than an afterthought. Inventory management and supply chain could be seen as going hand in hand. Therefore, our experienced team works both internally and externally with partners to ensure necessary inventory levels meet the need while keeping costs a main focus. Inventory used to be about having enough.  Today, it’s about having exactly what’s needed and nothing more.

We monitor inventory against certain regulatory bodies and industry benchmarks as a guide to ensure ships are equipped to handle medical emergencies at sea. Staying in sync with these regulatory standards supports compliance, improves care and reduces waste from expired medications.

Over time, we’ve seen many downstream benefits emerge from this type of organizational precision. By reducing spoilage, avoiding unnecessary shipments and aligning stock with actual demand, we’re helping to minimize waste and lower the carbon footprint of our supply chain operations. These aren't just financial or logistical wins. They're environmental victories, too.

More Than Moving Goods

And behind all of this? Strong processes and a experienced team, from dedicated professionals who monitor every shipment in motion to cross-functional collaboration that keeps information flowing across time zones and jurisdictions.

At VIKAND, supply chain means more than moving things from point A to B. It makes an impact on every dimension of our business, from patient outcomes to financial performance, reducing operational risk, regulatory compliance, environmental sustainability and more.