The Global Maritime Procurement Council (GMPC) has published its first two Industry Standards, marking a significant milestone in the Council's work to reduce duplication, improve consistency, and raise the quality of procurement practice across the maritime sector.
The standards, developed by the GMPC's Regulation and Standardisation Workstream, are now available via the GMPC website at www.thegmpc.org.
1. The GMPC VAT Exemption Statement is designed for use where the maritime VAT exemption under Article 148 of EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC applies. It provides a standardised buyer declaration confirming that the relevant vessel and transaction meet the qualifying conditions — including minimum vessel length, commercial registration, high-seas navigation requirements, and the nature of goods and services supplied. The statement also includes specific national implementation references, giving suppliers the regulatory grounding they need in a single, consistent document.
2. The GMPC End-User, Sanctions and Export Control Statement addresses buyer commitments under applicable economic sanctions and export control frameworks imposed by the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and other relevant jurisdictions. It provides a standardised undertaking covering prohibited destinations — including Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria — as well as due diligence obligations, diversion prevention, and the right to suspend or terminate agreements in the event of a breach. The statement is designed to satisfy reasonable contractual "No Re-Export" requirements and can be relied upon by sellers for sanctions compliance purposes.
Both standards are accompanied by a Preamble, Instructions for Use, and a Frequently Asked Questions document, which provide clear guidance on how to apply them correctly. The preferred method of use is to attach the relevant standard to a Purchase Order in its published form, without modification. Where appropriate, the full text may also be incorporated directly into Purchase Order documentation. Users are encouraged to complete their own legal and compliance review of each standard before applying it, after which it can be used repeatedly without the need to revisit that review — a key efficiency benefit the GMPC Standards are designed to deliver.
The standards are prepared on the basis that relevant transactions are governed by English law and subject to LMAA arbitration, unless a particular standard expressly states otherwise. They are available for use by the wider maritime procurement community, including shipowners, ship managers, operators, and their suppliers, and are not restricted to GMPC members.
"I am proud to see the Regulation and Standardisation Workstream deliver its first tangible outputs for the industry. These standards represent exactly the kind of practical, collaborative work the GMPC was created to do — reducing unnecessary duplication so that buyers and suppliers alike can operate more efficiently and with greater confidence. This is only the beginning." — Erik Foort, Manager Procurement, Anthony Veder; Workstream Lead, GMPC Regulation and Standardisation
"It is very encouraging to see the GMPC's work translating into concrete results. Publishing these first standards demonstrates that the Council is not just a forum for discussion — it is an active force for positive change in the way our industry operates. I look forward to seeing these tools adopted widely and to the further work this workstream will bring forward." — Paolo Magonio, Chair, Global Maritime Procurement Council; Head of Group Procurement & Services, Scorpio Ship Management S.A.M.
The GMPC plans to expand its library of Industry Standards as the workstream continues its programme of work. Feedback from users — whether members or non-members — is welcomed and will inform the ongoing development and improvement of published standards. Looking ahead, the GMPC is developing a dedicated Resource Centre — a central, publicly accessible hub that will bring together the Council's published standards, workstream outputs, guidance materials, and industry developments in one place. Designed to serve the entire maritime procurement community, the Resource Centre will make it easier than ever to access, apply, and build upon the collective knowledge the GMPC is generating — and will grow alongside the Council's expanding programme of work.
For further information, contact Stephen Alexander at salexander@impa.net or Paolo Magonio at pmagonio@scorpiogroup.net.
The GMPC is an independent, industry-led forum. It is not affiliated with or governed by the International Marine Purchasing Association (IMPA), which provides administrative and communications support only. GMPC activity takes place through virtual meetings, workstreams, and in-person sessions held alongside selected IMPA events. IMPA is the leading organisation for marine purchasing and supply professionals.