SprintlyWorks adopted a three-phase approach to help ShippingCo gain clarity on its market positioning and uncover actionable growth opportunities across Bothnia Bay.

Phase 1: Competitor Benchmarking
SprintlyWorks began by conducting an in-depth benchmarking of ShippingCo’s core competitors in the Bothnia Bay region, including Wagenborg, Spliethoff, Navalis, Dalarö, and others. The analysis assessed fleet composition across Coaster, In-between, and Handy segments, with focus on vessel deployment strategies, ice-class capabilities, and cargo specialization. Beyond operational data, we also evaluated financial indicators, investment activity, and environmental initiatives such as LNG adoption and biofuel trials. This gave ShippingCo a clear picture of how peer strategies were evolving, and where gaps or advantages existed in its own positioning.

Phase 2: Trade Flow Analysis
Building on the competitor analysis, SprintlyWorks analyzed over 25 million tonnes of 2023 trade flows using voyage-level AXS Dry data. The team segmented routes by cargo type, vessel class, and ton-day performance to uncover high-volume corridors and underutilized trades. Special attention was given to growing segments like Nordic mining and forestry, as well as long-haul outbound routes that competitors had begun to capture. This analysis also included port-level dynamics and identified which customers were driving trade concentration, providing the basis for potential targeting and customer share-of-wallet growth.

Phase 3: Recommendations
Finally, SprintlyWorks synthesized the findings into region-specific and cargo-specific recommendations. We proposed realignment of ShippingCo’s fleet to improve exposure to high-potential trades, especially in forestry and mining sectors. Sustainability-aligned trade lanes were prioritized to strengthen ShippingCo’s green positioning. The output included a tactical playbook outlining how ShippingCo could reinforce strongholds, challenge competitor routes, and expand into fragmented cargo segments, enabling both short-term gains and medium-term growth.

By combining external data with internal insights gathered through expert interviews, we developed a tailored, actionable view of the market that helped ShippingCo align its commercial strategy with emerging trade and competitive patterns.