Bahrain Polytechnic appointed Fisher Associates to undertake research on the establishment of a national maritime academy. The key questions to be addressed by the study included: (2011)
- Maritime industry skills gap analysis for Bahrain and the GCC.
- Who and where are the competitors in the region?
- What is the best governance model for this institution in relation to the stakeholders?
- Who are recommended global partners?
- What would provide a uniqueness that attracts students to Bahrain?
- What is the feasibility of this institute?
The objective of the assignment was to develop a potential launch strategy for the project, and the methodology comprised three key steps:
- Education and training analysis
- Strategy
- Feasibility analysis
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport required a review of the Irish Coast Guard and the Marine Survey Office to: (2011)
- Examine work practices which are a barrier to efficient service delivery.
- Assess the scope for alternative service models which can deliver public services more efficiently.
- Make appropriate recommendations.
Our approach was to undertake value for money reviews of each organisation, considering economy, efficiency and effectiveness, using a "review and challenge methodology" which covered:
- Cost of service review
- Operations performance review
- Quality of service review (including consultation with key stakeholders)
Fisher Associates was retained by a confidential client to provide advice on the potential acquisition of a port in England. This included advising on the proposed institutional and governance arrangements, and on the competitive position of the Port. (2011)
Ports Adviser, Marine Renewable Energy, NW EuropeOn behalf of a confidential client, we were appointed to provide professional advice related to the commercial assessment and contractng of suitable port facilities, to support the construction, operation and maintenance of a marine renewable energy project. Our services relate to the pricing and contracting and other commercial elements of the project. (2011)
Opportunity Study, Port of Poole, EnglandThe Port of Poole had faced a number of challenges of late, including the loss of a key RoRo customer, and the attendant need to restructure the business accordingly. A key target for the future was to maintain a diverse revenue base, and the port therefore requested Fisher Associates to review whether the port had fully addressed all the opportunities for bulk and breakbulk cargoes. (2011)
The methodology for the review was to:
- Undertake interviews with key customers.
- Using published information, undertake a statistical analysis of traffic moving through other relevant ports and relevant UK foreign trade.
- Identify a list of key opportunities.
- Make recommendations.
Aberdeen Harbour needed to gather a realistic long term perspective on the market and future demand for services. It commissioned Fisher Associates to undertake a Strategic Review, considering the potential market changes over the next 10 to 20 years. This included a market assessment for oil & gas offshore, renewables offshore, RoRo, container, bulk liquid, cruise, and marine leisure markets. (2011)
Our methodology included the following tasks:
- Literature review
- Customer and potential customer reviews
- Key opportunities assessment
- Shipping / vessels assessment and trends
The States of Guernsey commissioned Fisher Associates to provide advice related to the most suitable business model for the future management of Guernsey Harbours, with the objective of giving management more commercial freedom, whilst maintaining public ownership of assets. (2011)
We approached this work in two stages:
- Stage 1: Baseline Review with an assessment of the current situation at Guernsey Harbours, based upon our experience and discussion with States’ representatives, management and other stakeholders.
- Stage 2: Structural Review with a discussion and analysis of the options identified for the new business model – primarily transforming Guernsey Harbours into a limited company (incorporation), or into a Trust Port.
We were appointed by the World Bank to undertake an Inter-Island Transport Study for the Republic of Cape Verde.
The Islands are located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean some 570 km (354 miles) off the west coast of Africa. The archipelago consists of 10 islands and 5 islets, divided into the windward (Barlavento) and leeward (Sotavento) groups:
- Barlavento: Santo Anttao, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, Sao Nicolau, Sal, and Boa Vista.
- Sotavento: Maio, Santiago, Fogo, and Brava.
All but Santa Luzia are inhabited. Population totals 0.5 million, ranging from a few thousand to 270,000 on the most populous island.
The two defining characteristics of the Islands are thus their small populations and their peripherality. Interconnectivity among the Islands of Cape Verde is considered a binding constraint for economic growth and development. So the problem addressed by this study was not transport per se - it wasessentially poverty, and the impact that improved accessibility would have on alleviating this.
The three-point objective of the study includes:
- Review the status of inter-island water transport and aviation services.
- Determine constraints to their development.
- Develop strategies for improving services.
The study involves: a comprehensive review of the maritime and aviation services for domestic connectivity and accessibility; identify passenger and freight flows between islands; key financial and operational constraints in the two systems; relative viability of each system; the competition and complementarities across sea and air transport; and cost effective ways to organize a reliable and efficient transport system across the Islands using a combination of air and sea transport options.
Our approach to undertaking the assignment included questioning:
- Where are we now?
- What do people need?
- What are our objectives?
- How do we achieve these?
In brief, the methodology included Baseline Review, Institiutional Analysis, Demand and Supply side reviews and development of a transport model to undertake an Inter-Island transport System Appraisal, and review of Private Sector Participation. In addition to a programme of consultation for key stakeholders, the work included a survey of origins / destinations and transport needs at ports and airports.
Audit of Assets and Capabilities, Liverpool SuperPort, UKThe Mersey Partnership (TMP) commissioned Fisher Associates to carry out an audit of the physical assets in the ports, airport and distribution sectors that make up the SuperPort, and to identify the capabilities of the companies and other organisations that provide support services to it. We were also tasked to review the competitiveness of these.
This information was collated in a client database, which formed the main deliverable of this work. We also prepared a report with analysis of the competitiveness of the different assets and capabilities using criteria for strategic analysis (from the BCG Matrix and Porter's 5 Forces), based on the judgements of some 20 key stakeholder organisations gathered via a workshop session. (2010)
Establishment of Ferry and Water Taxi Company, Abu Dhabi City, UAEAbu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) wished to investigate the feasibility of establishing a company to provide ferry and water taxi services forAbu Dhabi City and its surrounding islands. It therefore commissioned Fisher Associates, in association with Atkins and BMT Nigel Gee, to prepare a feasibility study on establishing ferry and water taxi services. (2010)
The methodology included:
- Market Assessment to identify possible passenger uptake based on specific projects and developments located in the area.
- Technical Assessment to evaluate and sift a range of options, ensuring that the preferred operations have been properly tested against alternatives.
- Business Strategy setting out the key strategic choices and options.
- Financial and Economic Appraisal with a sensitivity analysis.
- Recommendations on preferred options and key risks.
