Sectors of our Ports and Maritime Consulting ~ Shipping Markets

If ports underpin the capability of the practice, shipping underpins the business of the ports.

We have undertaken a number of assignments specifically related to shipping companies - or more generally involving the assessment of shipping markets - notably containers. The following details these:

16 projects were relevant to this section. Listing 5 most recent projects:

Audit of Assets and Capabilities, Liverpool SuperPort, UK

The 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)

Port Masterplan Market Assessment, Port of Shoreham

We were appointed by Shoreham Port Authority via subcontract to Hyder to prepare an Opportunity Study as a basis for the market analysis for Shoreham's port masterplan. This work was based upon (2009): 

• Statistical analysis of trade, and traffic moving through other ports in SE England.
• Discussion of potential markets with SPA and key port users.
• Desk research into new opportunities such as offshore wind farms.

The methodology concentrated on answering two key questions:

• How much potential port traffic is there in the port hinterland that is suitable for handling at Shoreham?
• How effectively can Shoreham compete for this traffic against other ports?
  

Tariff Study, Cargo Handling Corporation, Mauritius

We were appointed in association with local lead consultant KPMG to prepare a tariff study for CHCL. It determined appropriate tariffs level for captive cargo, and included a competitive review of port handling charges in the region. (2009)

Marine Advisor to Cork City Council, Ireland

Fisher Associates was commissioned by Cork City Council (CCC) to advise on issues related to the Port of Cork, in connection with CCC's compulsory purchase order application related to development of Cork City Docklands, and specifically on the construction of two bridges just downstream of Cork City Quays. The services provided included:

• Identification of the key marine issues raised by objectors to the CPO application, and providing a lead for CCC on discussions related to marine operational impacts of bridges, and arrangements required to mitigate these.
• Preparation of a risk assessment, on both a with and without bridges basis, based on best practice according to the UK's Port Marine Safety Code.
• Assessment of the ongoing commercial consequences of the bridges, and the impact on the competitiveness of the Port of Cork once the bridges were in place, based on a review of the market and revenues and general commercial prospects for City Quays.
• An assessment of the real potential impact of road traffic taking priority over navigation during morning and evening traffic peaks, including a tidal analysis and analysis of shipping traffic.
• Preparation of an outline valuation, considering the complexities of the specific circumstances applying in this case.

The application became subject of an Oral Hearing, at which Fisher Associates provided expert witnesses on both the marine technical and commercial issues. (2008/9)

Building Materials Port, Bahrain

Bahrain's economy experienced record levels of investment in 2008 due to the high level of oil prices, which provided Middle East investors with funds for real estate projects and infrastructure development. This led to a chronic shortage of building materials (sand, aggregates, cement and steel reinforcement), due to the inability of pre-boom sources to continue supplying Bahrain, and the lack of alternative means of shipping materials into the country. (2008)

On behalf of the Ministry for Works, Fisher Associates was engaged to undertake a market study and financial / economic investment appraisal for a new terminal handling building materials. Subcontracted by Royal Haskoning, the work involved:

• Preparing a market analysis and future demand projections for materials, primarily based on benchmarking consumption with other countries at various levels of economic activity.
• Examining the financial viability of the BMP with respect to the alternative options and the estimated capital, annual maintenance and annual operating costs.
• Preparing an economic appraisal of the potential savings to Bahrain from its implementation. We looked at the impact on government revenues from additional taxation receipts, which would result from construction projects being completed without delays, and identified two main areas where the construction of the BMP would bring economic benefits:
  • Reducing the costs of imported building materials.
  • Ensuring security of supplies and hence reducing delays and uncertainties in the construction sector.
• Identification of strategies open to the Government for funding and operation of the terminals, and quantitative appraisal and analysis of these in terms of value for money.

All Projects In This Section