A strategic asset. Insight paired with conviction.
Proprietary analysis. Actionable insight. Competitive advantage. Our in-house research team delivers the market intelligence that informs better decisions across the vessel lifecycle.
Optima · Research desk The market, in motion
What we do.
Data-Driven Maritime Intelligence
Optima's Research & Intelligence division provides data-driven analysis, independent of broking-side mandates, to shipowners, operators, investors, and financial institutions. Our team of dedicated analysts monitors global shipping markets daily, delivering insight that goes beyond publicly available data.
We combine proprietary databases, decades of combined broker-floor experience, and deep sector expertise to produce analysis that our clients use to time purchases, plan fleet renewals, evaluate market entry, and benchmark performance.
Five offices across the major maritime hubs (Athens, Istanbul, Dubai, Shanghai, Singapore) give us real-time visibility into dry bulk, tanker, and ME-Asia trade flows.
Unlike third-party research houses, our intelligence is informed by live deal flow. We see the market from the inside.
Our analysts contribute regularly to Bloomberg, TradeWinds, Lloyd's List, and Riviera Maritime Media, and present at industry forums worldwide. Visibility in tier-1 maritime and financial media is part of how we stay close to the market and how the market stays close to us.
What We Deliver
Cadenced reports are the floor. Bespoke studies, sustained dialogue, and capital-raise support are where the desk earns its place. Four lanes, one analyst bench.
Cadenced coverage.
Weekly market reports plus bi-annual and annual sector reviews, alongside flash research notes triggered by major market or regulatory events. Coverage spans freight rates, asset values, newbuilding prices, demolition markets, and orderbook analysis across all major vessel segments.
Strategic consulting.
Bespoke research on specific sectors, routes, or market dynamics. Feasibility studies for fleet expansion, market entry, or investment thesis development.
Board-ready advisory.
Fleet optimisation advisory. Market entry strategy. Asset timing recommendations. Competitive benchmarking. Board-level presentations and supporting materials.
Capital advisory.
Business plans, strategic research, and investor documentation for shipowners, funds, and platforms raising capital. Financial modelling, scenario analysis, and pitch materials backed by live market intelligence.
Report Types
Every report we produce is written by analysts with direct market access. Not aggregated from public sources, not licensed from third parties. Written from inside an active brokerage, where the deals happen.
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WEEKLY MARKET REPORT
Published every Monday.
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BI-ANNUAL SECTOR REVIEW
Mid-year and year-end.
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ANNUAL OUTLOOK
Published at the start of each year.
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FLASH RESEARCH NOTES
Published within 24 to 72 hours of major market or regulatory events.
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BESPOKE RESEARCH
On demand.
How Our Intelligence Works
Our research process is built on four pillars that differentiate us from third-party research providers.
- Step 01 · PROPRIETARY DATA COLLECTION We draw on Optima's live deal flow, our global network of five offices, and direct broker intelligence. This gives us visibility into transactions and market sentiment that public data sources cannot capture.
- Step 02 · ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK Our analysts apply sector-specific models covering supply and demand dynamics, fleet demographics, trade flow patterns, and regulatory impact scenarios. Where decisions involve material uncertainty (newbuilding orders, fuel pathway selection, fleet renewal under evolving regulation), we draw on quantitative methods including scenario analysis, real options valuation, and fleet-level NPV modelling. We combine these with qualitative market intelligence drawn from live deal flow.
- Step 03 · INDEPENDENT REVIEW Every piece of research undergoes internal peer review. Our senior analysts and sector heads challenge assumptions and validate conclusions before publication.
- Step 04 · SUSTAINED DIALOGUE Our work does not end at the PDF. We brief clients in person, present findings to boards and investment committees, and remain available between deliverables for the questions that follow. Many of our most valuable engagements are sustained relationships, where the desk is embedded in the client's decision rhythm.
Sample Research Topics & Proof Points
Recent examples of the work the research team delivers. Rapid reads on market events, and the longer mandates that follow.
When the Strait of Hormuz situation escalated, our clients had a sector read on tonne-mile impact and rate exposure within 48 hours.
Ahead of the UAE's OPEC exit, we published a tanker-market read separating Hormuz rerouting strength from the structural ME-Asia trade story.
On request from a family office considering a feeder containership investment, we delivered a full investment memorandum within ten working days.
Open library · Recent mandate themes
- 01 Impact of EU ETS on dry bulk asset values
- 02 Tanker fleet renewal: timing the cycle
- 03 LNG carrier orderbook and demand gap analysis
- 04 Container shipping: post-pandemic rate normalisation
- 05 EEXI and CII compliance cost modelling by fleet segment
- 06 West Africa crude export route optimisation
- 07 Secondhand values vs. newbuilding parity across segments
- 08 Middle East refinery capacity expansion and product tanker demand
Adjacent desks at Optima.
- ESG & CARBON SOLUTIONS For climate strategy, regulatory compliance, and carbon advisory, see our ESG & Carbon desk.
- SALE & PURCHASE Asset timing and valuation intelligence to support buy and sell decisions.
- NEWBUILDINGS Orderbook analysis and yard capacity data to inform newbuilding strategy.
- FINANCE ADVISORY Market data and projections that underpin vessel finance and investment decisions.
Questions we answer, on every research briefing.
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01 Who receives Optima's market reports?
Our weekly and monthly reports are distributed to a subscriber base of shipowners, operators, investors, banks, and legal firms involved in maritime commerce. The reports are available at no cost to qualified industry participants. Contact us to request access.
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02 Can I commission bespoke research on a specific topic?
Yes. Our research team regularly produces tailored analysis on client-defined topics. Typical engagements include feasibility studies, market entry assessments, fleet optimisation reviews, and due diligence support. Scope, timeline, and fees are agreed on a project basis.
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03 How does Optima's research differ from third-party providers?
Our analysts sit within an active brokerage operation with five global offices. This means our research is informed by live deal flow, direct market access, and real-time broker intelligence, not just publicly available data. We see transactions as they happen and understand the context behind market movements.
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04 What vessel segments do your reports cover?
We cover all major segments including dry bulk (Capesize, Panamax, Supramax, Handysize), tankers (VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax, MR, chemical), container, gas (LNG, LPG), and offshore. Our quarterly outlook also covers cross-sector macro themes.
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05 Do you provide presentations for board meetings or investor events?
Yes. We regularly prepare custom presentations for board-level audiences, investor roadshows, and industry conferences. These can be delivered in person by our senior analysts or provided as presentation materials for your team to use.
Let's commission the work.
Need Market Intelligence?
Talk to our research team about your specific requirements.