How ED&F Man succeeds in importing regulated feed products

Local expertise is key

The import of fish oil into the EU presents a unique set of regulatory requirements. The journey begins at the port of loading, where official certificates must be meticulously prepared and presented. ED&F Man’s products are typically sourced from local fishing companies in the Americas, more specifically Peru, Chile, Mexico and Panama. Once the shipment arrives at its destination in the EU, it cannot be released until it passes a thorough inspection by local veterinarians. When doing so, they board the ship and check the products. Any errors or discrepancies in documentation can lead to significant delays, increased costs and, in the worst-case scenario, rejection of the shipment. 

But how do you make sure you comply with the many regulations? And how do you manage the process while still maintaining competitiveness? 

“To ensure that our processes and procedures are fully compliant, we rely on the expertise of locally based experts. Blue Water’s team helps us navigate the myriad of regulatory requirements while avoiding unnecessary delays and unexpected costs. In other words, they ensure everything goes smoothly,” says Rutger Boon.

“Like a fish in the sea”

For ED&F Man, having a logistics partner with local and extensive experience with marine by-products is key to handling their import documentation. You could say that they need a partner who can steer them through the many requirements ‘like a fish in the sea’.

And ED&F Man has found that partner in Blue Water with our local expertise and knowledge - for example, when importing to the Port of Esbjerg. Our experts ensure that all certificates are accurate and complete, significantly reducing the risk of delays and unexpected costs. 

"I would say that Blue Water does a really good job for us. It is a dedicated team, and I also like the fact that I only talk to one or two people. It is not someone new every time – it is always the same person," says Rutger Boon.