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Shipping lines and transport operators

BMT has been concerned with hinterland transport and short sea shipping projects as well as with international shipping trade in Asia, Europe, South America and the US. We offer shipping lines and transport operators a broad range of assessment and consulting services to support their optimal positioning on tomorrows markets.

In today's competitive environment, shipping lines and transport operators must respond to many challenges:

  • Fierce competition driving down rates
  • Customer demands for higher quality and closer integration across transport chains and logistic partners
  • Capacity planning - Increased demand may lead to capacity shortages while new builts may lead to over-capacities in the future
  • Changes to market structure led by big shipping lines' drive for vertical integration
  • Changes to transport patterns caused by the use of larger ships
  • Need to optimise fleet utilisation and service profiles to improve efficiency
  • Need to increase market share in existing markets or enter new markets, geographically or regarding new cargo/ commodity

"Ex works" transport chain scenario indicating risk and costs for seller and buyer

Understanding the trade and transport market

Our trade and transport market analyses help shipping lines and transport operators to assess their future market potential and to identify new business opportunities and concomitant risks. We achieve this by evaluation of project feasibilities and forecasting optional development scenarios. Business and market growth prospects are based on the study of overall market as well as regional trends. They are further qualified by detailed competitor analyses.

Based on our own freight flow simulation and modelling capabilities we provide freight traffic flow and transport demand forecasts. Where appropriate, we apply sensitivity and elasticity assessments to evaluate different development options and expected impacts.

We help our clients to assess, develop, optimize and maintain multi-modal ports, terminals, depots, logistic centres as well as logistic services. These options extend from feasibility studies to trade forecasts, master and business planning as well as simulation and modelling of development scenarios.

The following core activities best characterise our capabilities on the market sector:

  • Trade and traffic forecasts and market trend assessments
  • Market sector / commodity market studies
  • Competitor analyses
  • Elasticity and sensitivity analyses
  • Demand assessment to inform expansions into new geographical markets
  • Demand assessment to inform services catering for new cargo / commodity type
  • Policy context review, assessment of impact of regulations (security, environmental, social)

Operational Assessment (OA)

The Operational Assessment (OA) is a qualified and independent evaluation of shipping line's and transport operators' operational efficiency. The OA can inform an overall strategic management plan or provide valuable input, for example, to the design of service patterns or the optimization of facilities. It can also support outsourcing decisions.

More specifically, the OA

  • provides a comprehensive overview of operations in a full life cycle view of assets and services
  • highlights saving potentials and potential synergies within operations
  • ndicates process and work flow improvements, such as improved routing schemes
  • helps optimise resource allocation and capacity planning
  • helps optimise facilities layout
  • indicates most effective future investments

The OA usually goes along with the development and implementation of monitoring tools and systems such as Balanced Scorecard, Process Modelling, Process Performance Benchmarking, or Operational Monitoring.

OA helps extend the lifecycle and operational efficiencies of operational assets and services. This can include routine maintenance scheduling and replacement methodologies for rolling and swimming stock and buildings, detailed analysis of service reliability and schedule integrity, asset utilization management, or the evaluation and implementation of best industry practices, training and on-site support. Where appropriate, our operations consultancy includes environmental impact assessments and audits of existing and future facilities and sites.

The OA for shipping lines and transport operators can comprise the following activities:

  • Management reviews
  • Service pattern analyses
  • Capacity modelling, operational bottleneck identification
  • Commercial and internal process interface analyses
  • Operational review identifying process and work flow improvements benchmarking and performance metrics
  • KPI development and implementation
  • Technical assessment
  • Assessment of infra- and superstructure upgrade needs

Selected references for shipping lines & transport operators

Transport flow simulation (current)

Client: Multi-client study

Using the Samgods model, the joint national model of Norway and Sweden, BMT simulates transport flows and provides route and modal split analysis.

Future ferry network configuration in the Baltic Sea (2007)

Client: STENA Line AB

BMT TS reviewed the market setting and assessed the market conditions to STENA Line's Baltic Sea ferry services. Future potentials on potential future routes were simulated.

Analysis of potential traffic volumes on ferry lines (2007)

Client: Rederi AB Gotland

A strategic assessment of the future capacity of Continental transport corridors (2004)

Client: Multi-client study

Focussing on the growth of freight transport by truck and on the effects of different road pricing levels on the use of European motorways, BMT conducted a transport policy assessment, reviewed infrastructure plans assessment and undertook future traffic simulations. Read more...