BCG’s Shipping Benchmark Initiative draws on data submitted by leading global shipping companies to capture the performance of more than 3,000 of the world’s commercial vessels. Our six benchmarks reveals where you lead, where you lag, and where opportunities lie.
How do your costs, practices, and performance compare? The Shipping Benchmark Initiative (SBI) draws on data from more than 4,000 vessels worldwide to surface cost management opportunities, quality gaps, and opportunities for shipping benchmarking. Used by global fleet owners and operators, SBI enables continuous improvement and delivers shipping competitive advantage through smarter strategy.
Why Participate in SBI?
- Improve your company’s competitiveness. When used individually or in concert, the benchmarks within SBI deliver an in-depth review of your cost performance relative to comparable benchmarking participants and self-selected peers.
- Learn best practices in the shipping industry. Staffing, crew management, procurement, and technical efficiency are essential to securing shipping competitive advantage. By participating in SBI, you are able to benchmark shipping and logistics as well as compare management practices on various KPIs against those of peer companies.
- Keep up with the latest trends in the industry. BCG draws on the SBI database to identify cost management opportunities as well as correlations across cost and quality trends—and we share the deep knowledge we gain from our analyses through regular briefings.
- Educate your stakeholders about your value. It’s easier to prove your value when you can prove your worth with SBI’s OPEX and quality metrics. The objectivity and precision of BCG’s independent evaluation will speak volumes.
SBI by the Numbers
4,400+
total vessels participating
1,409
tankers
1,286
drybulks
1,251
containers
271
gas carriers
185
vehicle carriers
BCG’s SBI Benchmarks
Shipping Benchmark Initiative participants gain a rigorous, comparative view of their performance through integrated modules. Through our shipping benchmarking consulting work, BCG helps leaders prioritize actions, reduce variability, and set transformation targets. Clients use the Shipping Benchmark Initiative as a foundation for transformation, trade benchmarking, and operational excellence initiatives. Each Shipping Benchmark Initiative module can be used independently or in combination, depending on your strategic priorities.
Vessel OPEX
BCG’s operating cost benchmark provides the detailed information you need about your fleet’s cost-competitiveness, providing specifics both in aggregate and down to the vessel level across more than 20 different categories. With the Vessel OPEX benchmark, you will be able to see how the cost structures of the top-quartile performers differ from the those of the rest of sector, how the industry’s cost pressures are changing, and in which areas your costs seem to deviate from the average—allowing you to target the highest-potential areas of improvement.
Carbon Emissions
The Carbon Emissions Benchmark offers a comprehensive view of your company’s decarbonization journey, including detailed analyses at vessel- and company-level. In accordance with the IMO CII regulation, the benchmark helps monitor your carbon emissions performance against competitors. The benchmark is split into two dimensions to create a holistic view of your company’s carbon emissions. The quantitative, vessel-level dimension zeroes in on the AER, CII, and EEOI performance of your fleet while also offering detailed analyses on the underlying drivers of carbon emissions. The qualitative, company-level dimension focuses on strategies, investments, and enablers of maritime decarbonization.
What the Shipping Benchmark Initiative Delivers
Each benchmark in the Shipping Benchmark Initiative combines sector expertise with advanced analytics to deliver a robust package of executive-ready insights designed to drive decision making. As part of our shipping benchmarking consulting approach, BCG supports participants in interpreting benchmark results and translating them into actionable priorities.
Personalize Benchmark Report
Tailored analysis of your cost and quality position versus peers, segmented by vessel class, functions, assets, and regions.
Dynamic Data File
Access to the full underlying data through an interactive, digital interface—enabling deep-dive analysis by your internal teams.
Executive Presentation
A structured workshop with BCG experts to walk through key findings, prioritize improvements, and share best practices from shipping benchmarking consulting engagements.
Interactive Dashboards
Built on Tableau and Alteryx, these tools offer dynamic views of trends, performance breakdowns, and scenario modeling.
Access to BCG's SBI Team
Tap into the accumulated knowledge of our SBI team for expertise across shipping benchmarking and optimization of shipping company processes.
Whether you’re looking to optimize procurement, benchmark shipping and logistics, or shape future OPEX strategies, our Shipping Benchmark Initiative provides the fact base needed to lead—not just react. Our team draws from BCG’s shipping benchmarking consulting expertise to help clients extend insights beyond operations—into areas like trade benchmarking and commercial performance.
Our Shipping Benchmarking Consulting Leader
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