Over the past month, our team attended EUROMARITIME in Marseille, LNG2026 in Doha, and TCT Japan in Tokyo.
Although the events were held in different regions and formats, the conversations circled the same issue: how OEMs/Genuine Makers can continue to support decades-old assets under tighter operational, capital, and supply chain constraints.
Marseille
Digital Infrastructure Meets Legacy Reality
At EUROMARITIME, discussions around digitalization were framed in practical terms. Real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and long-term service agreements are no longer future concepts; they are increasingly embedded in current operating models.
Against that backdrop, several conversations touched on legacy part strategy. As vessels/assets become more connected and performance-driven, assumptions around long-term stockholding are being revisited. OEMs/Genuine Makers acknowledged the pressure created by extended lead times and fragmented supplier bases.
For portfolios with uneven demand patterns and long lifecycle commitments, relying exclusively on physical inventory can become capital-intensive and increasingly complex to manage. There was clear interest in approaches that combine digital traceability with more flexible production pathways for long-tail parts.
Doha
Long-Life Assets, Long-Term Accountability
At LNG2026, the emphasis was firmly on execution. The exhibition floor was heavily populated by end users responsible for assets that will remain in operation for decades. Conversations centred on reliability, manufacturing quality, and assured availability.
Equipment delivered years ago must still perform to specification, often in environments where original tooling has been retired and supplier landscapes have changed. Several discussions returned to the practical challenges of supporting low-frequency parts without building disproportionate stock, while maintaining compliance and quality standards over long time horizons.
There was interest in how digital inventory frameworks and qualified on-demand production could support legacy portfolios more precisely. The objective was steady performance and risk control across ageing assets.
Tokyo
Capability is Expanding, Integration is Under Review
TCT Japan offered a view into the additive manufacturing ecosystem itself. Machine manufacturers, powder suppliers, and service providers were well represented. The technical capability within the supply base continues to mature.
What was more apparent, however, was that large-scale OEM integration remains a work in progress. Discussions frequently turned to qualification pathways, procurement alignment, and internal governance. The technical feasibility of additive manufacturing is widely understood; the challenge lies in embedding it coherently within engineering and aftermarket structures.
This reinforces a broader observation from all three events: the central discussion is less about technology adoption in isolation and more about how operating models evolve in response to changing constraints.
A Sector Reassessing Its Operating Model
Taken together, these conversations point to a sector engaged in careful reassessment. Operational demands are intensifying, lifecycle commitments are lengthening, and supply chain volatility has not fully receded. For OEMs/Genuine Makers managing 50+ years of parts in circulation, complexity accumulates over time.
The structural question emerging across regions is straightforward: How can organizations sustain availability and protect margins as legacy portfolios expand and fragment?
Inventory strategy is increasingly part of that review. Physical stock remains essential, yet it is being examined alongside digital inventory structures and controlled production models that may offer greater precision for long-tail demand.
What connected Marseille, Doha, and Tokyo was a shared recognition that established practices are under thoughtful review. The focus is on practical adjustments that align aftermarket structures with the realities of extended asset lifecycles and evolving digital infrastructure.
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Insights | 12 February 2026