Skills in Port and Maritime Consultancy ~ Markets

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)

Establishment of Ferry and Water Taxi Company, Abu Dhabi City, UAE

Abu 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.

Socio-economic and Business Case for Rosslare–Waterford Rail Line, Ireland

The Rosslare-Limerick Junction Railway is approximately 192 km of railway infrastructure linking population centres across the south of Ireland. Due to poor performance, a national report identified the Rosslare-Waterford section of the line for possible closure.

The National Transport Authority invited a submission from the affected regional and local authorities to inform its decision. The South-East Regional Authority therefore commissioned a project team comprising KSA, Imrecon and Fisher Associates, to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the complete Rosslare-Waterford-Limerick rail corridor. This included an in-depth review of all of the relevant policy context, consideration of the socio-economic and business case for an alternative strategy to address the performance issues, and review of the business case submitted by Irish Rail to the NTA.

Fisher Associates role concerned demonstration of the freight and passenger potential of the line through improved linkages with the Port of Rosslare. (2010)

Ship Repair Facility Study, Shetland, Scotland
We were appointed by the Shetland Islands Council, under subcontract to Arch Henderson, to assist with the preparation of this study into the provision of a ship-lift or dry dock or other facility for ship maintenance and repair. Our role included consideration of markets, type of facility, management and operations. (2010)

Port Masterplan, Port of Sunderland

In support of the re-energised Port of Sunderland, and with a view to Department for Transport guidelines on Port Masterplanning, Sunderland City Council appointed us to prepare a port masterplan, building on the market studies and physical assessment previously undertaken by us. (2009)

It was prepared in overall accordance with the Department for Transport's "Guidance on the preparation of port master plans" and covered:

• An analysis and forecast of cargoes handled by North-East ports, and an estimate of cargoes that could be attracted to the Port of Sunderland in the form of various scenarios.
• A description of the existing infrastructure, with cost estimates for necessary repairs.
• Locations for handling new cargoes and a description of what new infrastructure will be required.
• A review of what would be required by a contractor involved in the construction of wind farms.
• A review of inland access provisions and environmental issues.   
• Drawings showing how the port can develop in the short term and longer term - these provide the flexible framework for the development of the port.

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