Consultancy & Research

Consultancy and research are central to our services. We provide our brokers and their clients with independent, forward thinking market research and analysis to enable informed decision making.

Our team of analysts make sense of the huge volumes of data circulating in the market providing insight into complex issues, reacting to changes in supply, demand and geopolitics.

Consultancy & Research in numbers

49k

Ocean going cargo vessels in operation

10k+

Number of shipowners

73.3m

Barrels per day 2023 seaborne oil flows

Key Consultancy & Research services

Supply & Demand Forecasts

Our in house forecasting models take account of macroeconomic and trade developments to give an unbiased long term view of market fundamentals. We produce bespoke forecasts which account for specific client needs.

Future Fuel, Decarbonisation & Regulation

We help clients understand the regulatory landscape and advise on solutions to comply with regulation and meet their decarbonisation strategy.

Data Services

Our diverse maritime data sets range from vessel supply and specifications data, to market related fixture and freight rate information. We provide data in a range of formats including as an API.

Consulting & Advisory

Our team provide bespoke consulting services which leverage the in house expertise of Gibson’s brokers and analysts. We provide feasibility studies, strategy advice and long term forecasts and work with a network of industry experts to deliver any project which our clients require.

Consultancy & Research team

Gordon Collen

Market Analyst

Department: Consultancy & Research

Location: London

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7667 1230

Kenechukwu Nwangwu

Data Manager

Department: Consultancy & Research

Location: London

Lakshmy Soman

Data Researcher

Department: Consultancy & Research

Location: London

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7667 1086

Richard Matthews

Director

Department: Consultancy & Research

Location: London

Tel: +44 (0) 20 667 1233

Shashank Sagar

Research Analyst

Department: Consultancy & Research

Location: Mumbai

Svetlana Kourmpeti

Senior Market Analyst

Department: Consultancy & Research

Location: London

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7667 1247

Propelling maritime trade through excellence in shipping services.

With over 130 years of experience and a global network of industry connections, we are your trusted partner in shipbroking and advisory services.

From crude oil to refined products we facilitate the chartering and brokerage of tankers.

LPG, Ammonia & Petrochemical Gases

Leveraging expertise, we ensure seamless transportation of liquefied gases.

Sale & Purchase

Facilitating the acquisition, divestiture and value optimisation of shipping vessels.

Specialised & Chemical Tankers

Offering specialised solutions, we manage the chartering and brokerage of chemical tankers.

Projects & Time Charter

Catering for the specific needs of clients in project and time charter requirements.

Consultancy & Research

Providing valuable insights and strategic advice to empower our clients with market intelligence and analysis.

Facilitating chartering solutions to ensure the efficient and secure transportation of LNG.

Managing and actioning the chartering and brokerage of dry bulk commodities.

Discover more weekly reports

Tanker Market Report 25.04.25

Section 301 Saga

After weeks of speculation, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) finally published their much-anticipated action plan to address alleged Chinese maritime dominance. Most international shipping companies were relieved to see almost all measures were significantly watered down. Notably, the “fleet composition” requirement has been dropped, so if an owner has Chinese built vessels, it will not impact their non-Chinese built vessels. However, the latest plan still has considerable ramifications for tankers.

Tanker Market Report 11.04.25

Price Pressure

With all the turmoil in the global financial markets, oil prices have come under pressure not seen since the pandemic. Prices began their heavy slide last week and fell 18% to a four-year low, before recovering to $64/bbl, as Trump paused his reciprocal tariffs (except China) for 90 days. US trade policy was of course the primary driver, but perhaps most surprising of all, was the timing of OPEC+’s decision to accelerate production increases at a time when the demand outlook is turning increasingly bearish. Prices are likely to remain volatile as markets react to ever changing US trade policy, but for now remain significantly off where they began the year.

Tanker Market Report 04.04.25

Liberation Day

On Wednesday the 2nd of April, the much-anticipated Liberation Day came to pass. US President Donald Trump made true his threats and passed a 10% tariff on all imports from all trading partners from the 5th of April. Additionally, reciprocal tariffs coming into force on the 9th of April will be applied to specific trading partners designed to match tariffs those trading partners impose on US imports. For example, Trump announced a 20% fee on the European Union, 24% on Japan, 27% on India, and 34% on China. All these tariffs are on top of already existing tariffs implemented by the current administration. Crucially, the White House clarified that crude oil and refined products will not be subject to the additional 10% tariffs. Notable for tanker markets is also that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will continue as they are, with both Canadian and Mexican oil and products trading into the US tariff free, so little rerouting is expected to occur here yet. As with all announced tariffs, this may be subject to change.

Tanker Market Report 28.03.25

Power Shift

Global oil demand growth slowed markedly in 2024, rising by just 0.8% year-on-year – less than half the growth rate recorded in 2023, according to the IEA Global Energy Review. A significant factor behind this slowdown was the accelerating uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). In particular, road transport oil demand in China fell 1.8% year-on-year amid rapid expansion of EVs and natural gas-powered trucks.

Tanker Market Report 21.03.25

Opening the Floodgates

A few years ago, the VLCC market buzzed with talks of new offshore export terminals capable of fully loading VLCCs which would improve the export economics for US crude to Asia. Back in August 2023 we wrote a report on the topic, but since then interest in the matter has faded, whilst permitting has been plagued by bureaucracy and climate goals. In that report, we commented on several projects including Sea Port Oil Terminal (SPOT), Blue Water Texas, Texas GulfLink (TGL) and Blue Marlin. Given the permitting challenges and lack of regulatory support, some of these projects have stalled. However, with a new administration and a new approach, the odds of one of these terminals making it into service by the end of Trump’s term have increased significantly.

Tanker Market Report 14.03.25

Sailing the Sea of Sanctions

Just before the end of his presidency, the Biden administration gave a parting gift to the tanker markets as the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 155 mainly Russia affiliated tankers. In the same week, Shandong Port Group, home to refiners responsible for significant crude imports from countries under US embargo, banned sanctioned tankers from calling into its ports in eastern China. The following weeks saw some redirection of trade flows and rising freight rates especially for VLCCs, as buyers of Iranian and Russian crude attempted to diversify their import streams to safeguard supply.

Tanker Market Report 07.03.25

Navigating Nigeria’s Oil Trade

After countless setbacks, unexpected challenges and a pandemic to deal with, just last month, Reuters reported that the 650kbd Dangote refinery had reached 85% of its operational capacity and could achieve 100% within 30 days, citing company sources. The resumption of operations at the revamped 60kbd Port Harcourt refinery and the 125kbd Warri refinery was also reported by NNPC in late 2024. Undoubtedly, the addition of new capacity and the restart of old plants represent significant achievements for Nigeria, inevitably leading to structural shifts in the country’s product imports and crude exports. However, while changes in trade flows have been observed, they have so far been somewhat limited, considering the reported refining capabilities.

Tanker Market Report 28.02.25

Section 301

This week, many in the shipping industry likely heard about Section 301 of the US Trade Act for the first time. This provision allows the US to address unfair foreign trade practices affecting US commerce. Last year, the US Trade Representative (USTR) launched an investigation into Chinese shipbuilding and maritime practices, concluding in January 2025 that China engaged in unfair practices. As a result, the USTR has published a proposed action plan and is accepting public comments until March 24.

Tanker Market Report 21.02.25

Fielding FPSOs

Floating production storage and offloading platforms (FPSOs) are having somewhat of a renaissance. After a challenging covid period higher oil prices carried with it a larger orderbook for FPSOs, several of which are due to be delivered this year. FPSOs allow flexibility in deployment and give cost advantages over traditional production infrastructure, and notably, are currently mostly being deployed offshore, relying on tankers for further transport of oil.

Tanker Market Report 14.02.25

The Beginning of the End

Last week we titled our report “White House in the Spotlight… Again” and we could just as well use the same headline again this week, with the tanker market outlook very much influenced by decisions made in the US and Moscow. This week, Trump announced that he and President Putin had spoken at length, the first confirmed direct contact between a Russian and US president since 2022. The agenda was of course focused on ending the war in Ukraine. For the first time since the conflict began, it appears there will now be a push for peace. How long this might take, and what that might look like remains unclear, but given how impactful the war has been for the tanker market, it is arguably the most critical factor impacting the medium-term outlook.

Tanker Market Report 07.02.25

White House in Spotlight… Again

It has been another turbulent week in the oil and tanker markets. Whilst U.S. tariffs on Canada and Mexico were postponed for a month, the 10% tariff on all Chinese products took effect on February 4, with Beijing swiftly retaliating, imposing a 10% tariff on U.S. crude exports and a 15% duty on LNG and coal exports starting February 10, whilst some other measures were also implemented. Later in the week, the market saw another executive order in which President Trump directed the imposition of “maximum economic pressure” on Iran, with the OFAC promptly releasing fresh sanctions, containing a list of individuals, companies and five tankers.

Tanker Market Report 31.01.25

VLCCs in vogue

VLCCs are enjoying a moment in the spotlight. A low orderbook and sanctions news have put a spotlight on the largest asset class in the tanker markets. However, the outlook for VLCCs has been promising before and freight rates have consistently underwhelmed. Is it finally time for VLCCs to shine?

Tanker Market Report 24.01.25

First Five Days

Following a very impactful end to the Biden era, the oil and tanker markets expected Trump’s second stint in the White House to start where Biden left off. Yet, for all the jaw dropping executive orders issued on other unrelated topics, the shipping and energy markets so far seem to have missed out on any immediate impact. However, even if the details are lacking, some clues are starting to emerge as to how the new President will tackle a number of key energy related issues.

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Discover relevant industry news, insights & events

Shipbroking Majors unite to launch Ocean Recap, the new solution in the Recap & Charter Party management space

Launching Ceremony Of Sabah Oil & Gas Development Corporation Sdn Bhd & Gibson Shipbrokers Ltd, Oil & Gas And Energy Hub Project At Sipitang Oil & Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP)

Celebrating a decade of Gibson Houston

Ed Romer-Lee Appointed as Head of Crude / DPP, West

Wrapping Up Gibson’s 2024 Impact Challenge

Establishing Hope: Gibson’s New Initiative in Kawangware, Nairobi

Gibson appoints Thomas Woidemann as Head of Gas, Asia

Gibson appoints Gerrit Stricker as Head of LNG, hires Romain Grandbesancon

Team Gibson comes 3rd in the Baltic Exchange Sailing Event

A Successful Opening

Nigel Richardson retires as Managing Director

New member profile: Paratus Group