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
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
Carbon Emissions
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
Dynamic Data File
Executive Presentation
Interactive Dashboards
Access to BCG's SBI Team
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

Our Latest Insights on Shipping, Transportation, and Logistics


