Running a 5-15 vessel fleet means navigating the same regulatory landscape as Maersk — but nobody built tools for you.
The Problem
Enterprise compliance platforms target 50+ vessel operations:
| Provider | Minimum | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| DNV | 50 vessels | €50K+/year |
| Lloyd's Register | 50 vessels | Enterprise pricing |
| Verisk | Custom | Cost-prohibitive |
Small fleets get left with Excel spreadsheets and expensive consultants.
Four Gaps Where Advisory Wins
1. EU ETS Allowance Allocation
No affordable tool exists for calculating allowance allocation across mixed fleets. Enterprise solutions start at €50K/year. Excel is error-prone.
Advisory opportunity: Fixed-scope allocation analysis, €2,500-5,000 per fleet.
2. FuelEU Trajectory Modeling
Complex Excel models require expertise most small fleets don't have. Enterprise platforms are overkill.
Advisory opportunity: Scenario modeling tool, €3,000-7,500 for full analysis.
3. CII Monitoring
Class societies provide annual snapshots. Continuous monitoring doesn't exist for small fleets.
Advisory opportunity: Monthly CII dashboard, €1,500-3,000/year.
4. SEEMP Part III Optimization
Manual revisions, limited tools, class society delays.
Advisory opportunity: SEEMP development package, €5,000-15,000.
The Bottom Line
The compliance software market ignores small fleets. That creates an advisory opportunity.
Small operators need:
- Modular, not full-suite
- Fixed-scope, not annual contracts
- Expert guidance, not account managers
The gap is real. The opportunity is real. Someone just needs to fill it.
This post was derived from internal research on maritime compliance market gaps.