Month: July 2025

MSI Consultancy Case Study – Development of Shipping Business

The client was a National Oil Company with an underdeveloped shipping and logistics business with an existing shipping arm which had been underinvested, was generating limited profits and was poorly aligned with the wider business.

MSI was requested to provide a business strategy based on carrying assessing an optimal fleet based on carrying domestic cargoes.

The MSI team was on site for five weeks for information gathering, stakeholder interviews, GAP/SWOT analysis and a market entry strategy.

MSI completed an accurate assessment of total cargoes being shipped by the company and worked closely with the commercial team of the company to understand the probability of converting current cargoes carried by third parties to captive cargoes.

We identified potential backhaul and triangulation opportunities to minimise ballast legs and maximise vessel utilisation and revenue and calculation of optimal fleet size.

We designed and developed a financial stabilisation mechanism to help smooth out the shipping business’ revenue stream and provided cashflow and valuation forecasts to inform the financial modelling of the shipping business.

We discussed potential JV partners with the company, based on its regional presence and trading profile.

MSI conducted a series of meetings with the company’s commercial teams responsible for marketing its exports to establish an accurate picture of the addressable market for the shipping company.

We then translated that into actual vessel demand and recommended an optimal fleet mix based on current trading patterns and cargo preferences. We then designed a mechanism for stabilising the company’s revenues to make it more attractive to international partners, as well as lowering its financing costs.

This was presented to the leadership team of the shipping business as well as the senior executives of the company.

To learn how MSI’s Consultancy Services can help your business understand and profit from market dynamics in shipping, offshore and shipbuilding, please get in touch.

Shipping markets outlook for H2 2025 – Podcast

Geopolitical disruption in shipping has reached new heights in the first half of 2025 and MSI examine the impact on markets and the outlook ahead. In this latest shipping markets outlook episode, we are joined by analysts from MSI to take a look at the outlook for containers, tankers, dry bulk, and shipbuilding in the second half of the year. Listen to the podcast at Seatrade Maritime.

Cancelled Culture: Abandoned and Delayed Offshore Wind Projects Now Account for 300 GW

Western markets continue to suffer from a lack of positive signals in the short- term relying heavily on the success of upcoming auction rounds as they strive for net-zero targets, while China market creates a stable platform for investment says MSI. Total project cancellations, suspensions and delays in the offshore wind market have hit 300 GW as a combination of politics and economics take their toll on planned installations in the US and Europe according to new data published by MSI. Read more at North American Clean Energy.

Webinar – Market dynamics and strategic partnerships in shuttle tanker operations 

MSI Director, Tim Smith, contributes to this webinar, which will analyse the evolving market environment for shuttle tankers, focusing on offshore production trends, chartering strategies, and the role of strategic partnerships between operators and oil majors. It will explore how geopolitical shifts, fleet growth and demand fluctuations shape the market, and how long-term contracts and integrated logistics solutions provide stability and growth opportunities in key regions such as Brazil and West Africa. Listen at Riviera.

MSI Consultancy Case Study – Market Entry

MSI recently completed a market entry study for a joint venture between two major Middle Eastern maritime groups. The client sought to enter the offshore marine services market, initially based around OSVs but expanding to a full-service operation incorporating DSVs, CSVs and pipelay/heavy lift assets, and required a detailed market assessment and business plan incorporating cashflow and capital requirement forecasts under different scenarios

MSI studied global and regional market dynamics for the OSV, subsea and marine construction industry, including offshore capital expenditure and supply and demand for rigs, subsea and OSVs under different scenarios.

We assembled a fleet listing and fleet deployment analysis and comparison of assets deployed in different regions in order to assess redeployment opportunities, including the outlook for fleet utilisation and earnings.

Also included were newbuilding and second-hand asset price forecasts, including an assessment of construction options in the Middle East versus other regions.

We studied the competitive landscape and undertook peer profiling, including an assessment / shortlisting of potential acquisition targets. We identified target customers and existing relationships with OSV providers.

MSI produced a business plan and financial model with simulation capability to assess alternative strategies – build-and-operate, buy-and-operate, charter-and-operate and the optimal own/charter mix.

We prepared a detailed market review which comprised a single report addressing all parts of the scope as described above. MSI highlighted the key risks for the project, and presented the client management team with a clear recommendation of the asset types/specifications, including the number of assets and timing of investment required.

To learn how MSI’s Consultancy Services can help your business understand and profit from market dynamics in shipping, offshore and shipbuilding, please get in touch.