Digitalitalization of the shipbroking market : changing tides, a new wave of digital platforms entering the shipbroking market

Abstract

This thesis contributes with an overview of the market landscape for digital platforms in the shipbroking industry and a typology to classify these platforms. Further, it examines the value proposition of digital platforms in the shipbroking industry and their ability prove commercially successful. This is investigated by analysing their ability for efficient searching and matching of vessels and cargoes, and their ability to provide additional services. Finally, we analyse of the digital platforms ability to successfully enter the shipbroking market.

If one takes all the potential efficiency gains, cost reduction and additional services a digital platform can provide into consideration, the value proposition seems promising. However, there are many hurdles a digital platform provider must overcome before he is able to efficiently challenge the market position of traditional brokers. The most important hurdle to overcome in order to prove commercially successful is to obtain a commercially interesting network.