Alpha Ship Supplies arranges provisions, ship stores, technical supplies, and marine spare parts for ocean-going merchant vessels calling at U.S. ports. Requisitions are coordinated from our Houston office and planned around each vessel's port call, terminal, and agent arrangements.
Merchant ships differ in crew size, voyage pattern, and the stores they consume. We regularly handle requisitions for:
Most merchant vessel orders fall into three groups, and each is handled differently.
Fresh, frozen, and dry provisions, along with cabin, galley, and bonded stores, are usually ordered against crew numbers and the length of the next voyage leg. These orders are planned ahead of arrival. Sending the provision list several days before ETA gives time to confirm quantities, substitute unavailable items with the master's agreement, and pack stores by temperature.
Deck and engine stores, paint, chemicals, tools, filters, and electrical consumables are usually requisitioned by the chief engineer or chief officer and approved by the technical superintendent or purchasing office. IMPA and ISSA codes help us match each line to the right item and avoid descriptive mismatches.
Breakdowns, class findings, and PSC deficiencies can produce an order that must reach the vessel before it sails. For these, the ETD, terminal, and agent details matter as much as the item list. We will tell you quickly what can realistically be supplied within the port stay, and what should be planned for the next port instead.
Spare-parts requests are only as accurate as the information behind them. Before quoting, we confirm the equipment maker, model or type, serial number, and the OEM part number or drawing position. For main engines, generators, purifiers, compressors, and pumps, the engine number and nameplate data help avoid wrong-revision parts.
Where an OEM part is unavailable in the time window, we will say so and, if the vessel or superintendent wants, look at alternative sources. We do not substitute non-OEM parts without written approval.
See our marine spare parts supply and engine parts and anodes pages for more detail.
Getting stores to a merchant vessel depends on where it is lying. A tanker at a refinery dock, a bulk carrier at a grain elevator, and a vessel at anchor each require different arrangements. Terminal gate access, TWIC escort requirements, crane or gangway availability, and delivery cut-off times all vary by facility.
We plan each delivery with the vessel's port agent, who holds the terminal contacts and line-up information. When you send a requisition, include the agent's name and contact details so delivery can be arranged without delay. Where launch delivery to an anchored vessel is required, this is arranged through the agent and local launch services and quoted separately.
A complete request usually includes the vessel name and IMO number, vessel type and flag, U.S. port and terminal or berth, ETA and ETD, port agent details, and the requisition list with quantities and units. For stores, add IMPA or ISSA references. For spares, include maker, model, serial number, and part numbers.
Requisitions exported from ship management or purchasing systems are welcome in PDF, Excel, or CSV format.
Related pages for planning supply at U.S. ports.
Yes. Most of the merchant vessels calling at U.S. ports are foreign-flagged, and our process is built around international ship managers and purchasing departments.
Delivery to an anchored vessel is arranged through the port agent and a local launch service where available. Launch costs and timing depend on the port and are confirmed with the quotation.
Sending the provision list several days before ETA allows time to confirm availability and agree substitutions. Shorter notice is possible, but the range of available items may be narrower.
Bonded stores can be arranged where available and permitted for the vessel and port. Requirements depend on the vessel's voyage status and U.S. customs rules, so please raise this with your requisition.
We accept requisitions from the vessel, the ship manager, the owner's purchasing office, the charterer where responsible for supply, or the port agent acting on their behalf.
Send the vessel details, port, ETA, and requisition list to our Houston team.