Why Military Husbanding Services Matter: inside SCA Group’s Global Naval Support Network

In the world of naval operations, mission success often depends on a constellation of essential, yet largely unseen activities carried out before a vessel ever leaves port. These activities, collectively known as husbanding services, form the backbone of global naval logistics. They ensure that military ships receive the supplies, technical coordination and operational support needed to deploy efficiently, safely and on schedule.

With a long-standing operational heritage, SCA Group, led by its parent company S.C.A.- Shipping Consultants Associated LTD, has built one of the most established and reliable naval logistics networks in the world. Supporting over 40 Navies and conducting more than 20,000 military port calls across 400 ports, the organisation has become a reference point for global naval support and military husbanding services.

A Global Network Designed Around Naval Realities

The scale of modern naval operations requires an infrastructure capable of responding to rapid changes, remote deployments and diverse operational requirements. SCA Group’s husbanding services provide this foundation across:

• Berthing and port coordination
• Fresh water supply and waste removal
• Transportation, MHE and Force Protection Services
• Food supply and catering
• Fuel coordination and supply
• Customs and immigration facilitation
• Operational logistics for port visits, exercises and deployments

As highlighted by Jacopo Landi, one of the two Directors of SCA, “naval operations rely on precision, continuity and immediate responsiveness. Our teams work directly at pier level to ensure that every logistical requirement — from provisions supply to technical coordination — is delivered without delay, allowing crews to focus entirely on their mission.”

This approach is reinforced by SCA Group’s presence in 17 international offices and its network of more than 250 on-site representatives, enabling real-time coordination across every major region.

Husbanding as a Strategic Capability for Modern Navies

For naval forces, reliable husbanding services do more than support port visits: they safeguard operational readiness. SCA Group delivers these services for the most important navies worldwide and under some of the most demanding contractual frameworks.

These long-standing collaborations demonstrate the organisation’s ability to meet stringent contractual requirements and maintain the highest operational standards.

Operational Excellence Built on Experience and Compliance

Husbanding services demand not only logistical precision, but unwavering compliance with international standards — especially when operating in multi-jurisdictional, mission-critical contexts like US Navy and Canadian Navy deployments.

SCA Group meets these demands through a solid framework of internationally recognised certifications, which serve as strategic enablers for institutional cooperation and global interoperability. These include:

• ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
• ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
• ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management)
• ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management)
• BRCGS Food Safety (Global Food Safety and Supply Chain Assurance)
• ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus (Information Security and Cyber Protection)
• TRACE (Anti-Bribery, Due Diligence and Institutional Compliance)

More than just formal credentials, these certifications validate SCA Group’s ability to deliver audit-ready, secure and fully compliant operations across all naval theatres. This guarantees that husbanding activities, from port coordination to service delivery, meet the expectations of defence procurement authorities, while ensuring risk mitigation and mission continuity in every environment.

Why Husbanding Services Matter More Than Ever

The complexity of naval missions has grown substantially. Distributed fleets increased multinational cooperation and rapid deployment cycles all require reliable port support infrastructures. Husbanding services ensure:

• Well organized and efficient port operations
• Faster turnaround times
• Reduced operational risks
• Improved crew welfare
• Enhanced mission continuity

According to Michael J. Harrison, one of the other Director of S.C.A. – Shipping Consultants Associated LTD, “husbanding services are the operational link that keeps naval missions moving. When vessels arrive in port, everything must be aligned — from port services to supply chains to regulatory procedures. Our integrated model reduces uncertainty and allows ships to continue their deployment with full confidence.”

A Trusted Partner for Global Naval Support

Across decades, SCA Group has refined a global naval support model grounded in on-site presence, certified quality, strong supplier relationships and an unparalleled track record. Whether supporting a single vessel call, a multi-port deployment or a major naval exercise, the organisation delivers the consistency and precision that modern fleets require.

In a maritime environment defined by speed, coordination and interoperability, husbanding services remain essential and SCA Group’s global network continues to set the benchmark for reliability and operational excellence.