Customer Overview

Ardmore Shipping is a publicly listed tanker company operating a fleet of 30 vessels and making approximately 800 port calls per year. The company has been a customer of DA-Desk and Marcura for the last five years.

Robert Gaina, Director of Commercial Operations, shared how Ardmore uses DA-Desk to streamline and safeguard key operational processes.

Challenge: A Growing Fleet Needing Scalable, Technology-Driven Operations

During the pandemic, Ardmore leaned heavily into technology to maintain operational continuity and improve automation. As Robert notes, he is "a fan of technology," and DA-Desk fit naturally into Ardmore's approach to driving efficient, tech-enabled workflows.

As the business grew and evolved from early third-party operating models to a fully in-house commercial operation, Ardmore needed partners that could support complex disbursement accounting, global agent interactions, and robust compliance requirements.

Solution: A Technology-Backed Disbursement Process Supported by a Global DA-Desk Team

Robert emphasises that DA-Desk provides both a powerful system and a professional team behind it: "DA-Desk's team of professionals provide a sterling service to owners and operators." The system is "consistently prompt and accurate."

Ardmore also benefits from using Laytime-Desk for laytime calculations.

Crucially, the DA-Desk team manages "all the intricacies of disbursement accounting, invoices, and agents – all over the world," giving Ardmore the operational support it needs to stay focused on commercial performance.

Key Benefits Delivered

Strong Compliance Assurance

Compliance is a major priority for Ardmore, and DA-Desk's checks and notifications play an essential role: "The compliance element is a major benefit to us." Ardmore relies on DA-Desk's "scalability to conduct the required checks and action related notifications."

For a publicly listed company subject to rigorous annual audit processes, Robert highlights the value of predefined limits, safety parameters, and consistent reporting.

Weekly Validation and Safety Checks

DA-Desk provides weekly reports and validation checks on line items, which Robert describes as "hugely valuable." He explains that safety is not only about vessel operations but also "about the accounts and their safety parameters." DA-Desk supports Ardmore by providing data aligned with cybersecurity and core business requirements.

Smooth VMS Integration

Ardmore places strategic importance on integration, and DA-Desk's connection to the company's VMS (via Verizon) enables a unified operational workflow: "Integration … is true that if you don't have it, you will have problems."

Ardmore prioritised integration "from day one." Their integration with Verizon "is working well, offering the unified platform required for DA-Desk to meet its objectives easily and efficiently."

Efficiency Gains and Documented Savings

Ardmore measures DA-Desk's value through efficiency and detailed reporting. Since implementation, Ardmore has generated "quarterly and annual reports, highlighting savings achieved."

But Robert stresses that value is not only about financial results: "It's not only about the numbers… it's also about efficiency and quality of service from start to finish."

A Collaborative Partnership that Adapts as Ardmore Evolves

Robert notes that Ardmore's relationship with DA-Desk is collaborative and solution-oriented: "As a DA-Desk customer, we always feel heard." The companies have a "long-standing, collaborative relationship through which we're able to find effective solutions to the challenges we face."

This partnership has supported Ardmore during significant business transitions from initial third-party models to full in-house commercial operations, and through rapid fleet expansion.

Result: A Technology-Forward, Compliance-Strong Operation

With DA-Desk, Ardmore benefits from:

• Detailed compliance checks and audit-ready processes

• Weekly validation and safety reporting

• A professional global team handling DA complexity

• Integration with their VMS for unified workflows

• Documented savings and improved operational efficiency

• A responsive, collaborative relationship