180°Marine consultancy
Independent advice before the big decisions
Pre-purchase and newbuild support, due diligence and fleet cost reviews for owners and investors who want a clear basis to decide.
200°Five questions we help answer
Consultancy for decisions
Pre-purchase support
What is the ship really like, what will it need soon, and what should the price reflect?
Newbuild support
Will the specification suit the trade, the crew and the maintenance plan?
Due diligence
Do records, certificates and history match the story?
Fleet performance
Where are fuel, repairs and delays costing more than they should?
Management consultancy
Is the operating model right for the fleet you have, or the one you plan?
Single-question reviews
One inspection or one cost problem, with a defined output.
225°Pre-purchase
See the ship before you own it
A buyer’s inspection is a short window to learn a great deal. Good preparation means the right questions, the right documents and a written summary the buyer can use in negotiation. After purchase, the same findings feed into technical management.
- Records and certificates reviewed first
- Inspection planned around the questions that matter
- Near-term costs estimated, with risks ranked
250°Due diligence
Five steps of structured checking
- 01
Collect
Gather records, certificates and class history.
- 02
Review
Check consistency across documents.
- 03
Inspect
Verify condition on board.
- 04
Quantify
Estimate costs and timing of known issues.
- 05
Report
Summarise risks and options in plain language.
270°Newbuild
Build a ship that is easy to run
A contract specification can meet every clause and still be awkward to maintain. Reviewing plans with operators in mind, and preparing crews and records before delivery, makes the first year smoother. Planning links naturally with crew management.
- Specification reviewed against real operation
- Progress followed to delivery
- Crew readiness and handover planned early
290°Performance and cost
Where the losses hide
Fuel
Consumption against speed and conditions.
Maintenance
Spend by equipment, vessel and period.
Delays
Off-hire and waiting time by cause.
Purchasing
Price, quality and lead time by supplier.
305°By vessel type
Different ships, different questions
Tanker
Cargo systems, tank cleanliness, pollution prevention and vetting readiness lead the agenda.
Charterer inspections such as SIRE are a regular event, so records and defect close-out matter.
Services that usually matter most
Bulk carrier
Hull and hold condition, hatch covers, cargo handling gear and reliable repair planning stand out.
Voyage monitoring and claims evidence are particularly useful on tramp trades.
Services that usually matter most
Container ship
Schedule reliability, port turnarounds and equipment uptime drive priorities.
Tight rotations mean maintenance and crew changes must be planned around port calls.
Services that usually matter most
General cargo
Flexible trading and varied cargo call for careful gear maintenance and good port coordination.
A single, simple management agreement often suits smaller vessels well.
Services that usually matter most
Offshore support
Specialised equipment, competence records and operating-area requirements need extra care.
Crew competence documentation and equipment records are often reviewed in detail.
Services that usually matter most
320°Two roles
Consultancy and management compared
335°Ships in context
Vessels we think about
345°FAQ
Consultancy questions
Pre-purchase, newbuild, due diligence and cost reviews. See every answer on the FAQ page.
01What is marine consultancy?
Marine consultancy is independent advice on technical, operational and commercial questions about ships. It can include pre-purchase and newbuild support, due diligence, performance and cost reviews, and wider management advice, giving owners and investors a clearer basis for decisions that involve large sums.
02What does pre-purchase support involve?
Pre-purchase support helps a buyer understand a second-hand vessel before committing. It typically includes reviewing documents and records, planning and attending an inspection, noting condition, estimating near term costs such as repairs and surveys, and summarising risks so that the buyer can negotiate and decide with eyes open.
03How can newbuild projects be supported?
Newbuild support means helping owners follow the project from specification to delivery: reviewing technical specifications and plans, monitoring progress, supporting crew readiness and planning the handover. The aim is a ship that is practical to operate and maintain, not just one that meets the contract.
04What is due diligence in ship transactions?
Due diligence in ship transactions is the structured checking of a vessel's condition, records, certificates, class status and operating history before a deal. It reduces surprises by identifying issues early, quantifying them where possible and helping the parties agree how they will be handled.
05How can fleet performance and cost be optimised?
Fleet performance and cost are optimised by measuring what matters, such as fuel consumption, maintenance spend, off-hire causes and procurement costs, then comparing vessels and periods to find avoidable losses. Improvements are then prioritised by effect and effort, and tracked so they stick.
06Is marine consultancy only for large owners?
No. Smaller owners and first-time buyers often benefit most, because they may not have an in house technical team to review a purchase or a cost problem. Consultancy can be limited to a single question, such as one inspection or one cost review, with a clearly defined output.
352°Related
Continue to services
360°Set a course
Have a decision to make?
Describe the ship, the question and the timing by email. We will reply with how we would approach it.