Hamburg, Germany | August 04, 2025 – Closelink and Chevron Marine Lubricants have celebrated a one-year milestone of their full system integration, a first-of-its-kind digital link that has slashed marine lubricant order processing times from hours to mere seconds.
The integration connects Closelink’s maritime procurement platform directly with Chevron’s proprietary OnePort™ customer portal. This “live-link” allows ship owners and managers to handle the entire lubricant lifecycle, from initial enquiry to final invoice, without leaving their primary workflow, while Chevron’s teams continue to operate within their native ecosystem.
Near-Instant Response Times
The most significant impact of the integration is the removal of manual data entry and human-led “wait times.”
- The “5-Second” Rule: What previously required manual processing by supplier-side operators (often taking hours or overnight) is now completed in under five seconds.
- Automated Quoting: As soon as a buyer submits an enquiry via Closelink, Chevron’s OnePort™ system automatically generates a synchronized quote and shares it back instantly.
- Urgent Deliveries: This responsiveness is proving critical for short-notice deliveries in busy hubs, where the window for lubricant mobilization is often extremely tight.
Deep Integration Features
The partnership goes beyond simple data transfer, embedding advanced communication tools directly into the procurement process:
- Synchronized Chat: OnePort’s live chat feature is embedded within Closelink, keeping communication fast, traceable, and context-driven.
- Real-Time Visibility: Buyers gain instant access to product availability, vessel-specific recommendations, and live order status.
- Enhanced Logistics: Because orders are instantly reflected in Chevron’s internal logistics system, supply chain teams can begin organizing deliveries immediately, reducing port-stay bottlenecks.
“Chevron has made a substantial investment in building a best-in-class supplier system. Through Closelink, that value becomes available to buyers exactly where they need it,” said Philippe Lavarde, Managing Director at Closelink.
Beyond Ordering: The Closelink Ecosystem
While the Chevron integration focuses on transaction speed, Hamburg-based Closelink provides a broader suite of tools for bunker and lubricant managers:
- Automated Demand Monitoring: Uses vessel schedules and stock levels to alert managers of upcoming supply needs.
- Proactive Planning: Identifies the most cost-efficient ports for lubricant “lifting” based on vessel routes.
- Visual Reporting: Provides live dashboards to track performance across entire fleets and supplier networks.
Ayten Yavuz, General Manager of Marine Lubricants at Chevron, emphasized that the tool was designed to “liberate valuable resources,” allowing customers to focus on core business activities rather than administrative overhead.
About Closelink
Based in Hamburg, Closelink is a pioneering maritime technology company dedicated to digitizing and optimizing the procurement of ship consumables. Moving beyond simple process standardization, the platform utilizes data-enabled automation and a specialized category management approach to address the unique complexities of marine lubricants and other essential supplies.
By integrating real-time vessel data with supplier networks, Closelink empowers shipping companies to build supply resilience, navigate decarbonization requirements, and improve their bottom line through smarter, faster decision-making. As a high-growth partner in the global shipping industry, the platform is setting a new digital standard for how maritime procurement is managed in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Source: Closelink