Methodology & Differentiation

How ShipScope Values Vessels
Differently

Three independent approaches. Transparent data sources. A clearly documented report you can share with a buyer, lender, or auditor as part of your own diligence. No black boxes. No five figure subscriptions.

Three Independent Approaches, Weighted Into One Number

Buyers, lenders and auditors generally prefer a value triangulated from multiple methods rather than a single point estimate. We use the same three approach framework that full appraiser reports rely on, automated to deliver in days instead of weeks. The output is intended to support your own diligence and is not a substitute for a formal appraisal.

Approach 1

Market Approach

What have similar vessels actually sold for, recently? We pull comparable sales from our indexed transaction database and weight them by similarity.

  • Filter comparables by vessel type, size, age, and yard
  • Apply recency weighting (newer sales count more)
  • Adjust for spec differences (e.g., scrubber, ice class, eco engine)
  • Statistical summary: median, IQR, sample size
Default weight: 45% (highest weight when comparables are abundant)
Approach 2

Income Approach (DCF)

What is the vessel worth based on the cash it can earn over its remaining life? A discounted cash flow built from real charter rates and operating cost benchmarks.

  • Forward charter rate curve from current market data
  • Operating costs benchmarked to vessel type and size
  • Remaining useful life modeled to 25 years
  • Discount rate appropriate to shipping risk profile
Default weight: 35% (anchors value to earnings power)
Approach 3

Cost Approach

What would it cost to replace the vessel today, depreciated for age? A floor value rooted in newbuild prices and physical depreciation.

  • Current newbuild price by type and size class
  • Straight line depreciation over 25 year useful life
  • Yard premium adjustment (Tier 1 vs Tier 2 builders)
  • Useful as a sanity check on the other two approaches
Default weight: 20% (acts as floor and reasonableness check)

Weights are dynamically adjusted based on data availability. When fewer comparable sales exist for a vessel type, weight shifts toward the income and cost approaches. Every report shows the actual weights used for that specific vessel.

Every Number Comes With a Source

Every verified comparable row in your report carries a source URL, and any synthetic benchmark used as a fallback is prominently labelled. That transparency is what makes the underlying analysis auditable.

Live AIS Vessel Data

IMO, MMSI, dimensions, flag, and current position from public AIS feeds (DigitTraffic and equivalents).

Vessel Registry Lookup

55,000+ vessel records available in the free lookup tool, covering bulkers, tankers, containers, and gas carriers. The lookup gives identification and registry data; valuation reports are commissioned per vessel.

Comparable Sales Database

The methodology is fully wired to ingest verified comparable sales from public records (SEC filings, listed shipowner press releases, official broker circulars), with each row stored alongside its source URL. The comparable sales database is currently 100% populated with an anonymized illustrative benchmark dataset. Every illustrative row is clearly labelled as such inside the report appendix and is never presented as a real third party transaction. Verified rows are being added segment by segment and will replace the illustrative rows as they are sourced.

Newbuild Price Curves

Current newbuild pricing by vessel type, size class, and yard tier, refreshed against industry benchmarks.

Charter Rate Benchmarks

Spot and time charter rates by route and vessel size, used as inputs to the income approach DCF.

Compliance Data (CII, EU ETS, FuelEU)

Regulatory thresholds and pricing curves applied for the Express tier compliance impact analysis.

Every Priority and Express report includes a full data sources appendix.

How We Stack Up Against Every Other Option

This is the deeper version of the comparison on our pricing page. Every claim below is something you can verify yourself.

Traditional Broker Certificate Class Society Valuation Incumbent Online Platform Independent Appraiser ShipScope
Price per valuation $$ $$$ $$$$ (annual) $$$$ $ ($999 to $2,999 per report)
Delivery time 5 to 10 days 2 to 3 weeks Instant 3 to 4 weeks 24 hours to 7 days
Three approach methodology No (single market view) Partial No (algorithmic only) Yes Yes
Source attribution shown No Limited No (black box) Yes Yes (full appendix)
Comparable sales analysis Implicit (broker memory) Yes Yes Yes Yes (Priority & Express)
Compliance impact (CII, EU ETS) No Sometimes No Sometimes Yes (Express tier)
Subscription required No No Yes No No (pay per report)
Suitable as a supporting input to your own diligence Limited Often Not typically (opinion only) Yes Yes (Priority and Express)
Best for Quick broker opinion Inspection backed valuation Continuous portfolio monitoring Litigation, complex disputes Internal sale, refinance, insurance, and board reviews where you want a transparent third party reference value alongside your own diligence

Pricing tiers shown as $, $$, $$$, $$$$ are indicative ranges based on quotes commonly seen in the mid market shipping segment. Actual fees vary by provider, vessel type, and scope. ShipScope reports are intended to support your own diligence and are not a substitute for a USPAP or RICS appraisal, a class survey, or a physical inspection. Please do not attach a ShipScope report to a regulatory filing, prospectus, or loan covenant certificate without our prior written consent.

What You Get in a ShipScope Valuation Report

The Express tier delivers a 9 page report covering the full methodology, comparables, and compliance impact. Here is what the report walks through.

1
Executive Summary

Headline value, valuation range, key findings, and confidence assessment.

2
Vessel Specifications

IMO, type, build year, yard, dimensions, flag, and notable spec items.

3
Three Approach Breakdown

Each approach shown with inputs, outputs, weight applied, and rationale.

4
Comparable Sales

Recent comparable transactions used in the market approach with statistical summary.

5
Compliance Impact

CII, EEXI, EU ETS, and FuelEU exposure modeled against the vessel profile.

6
Market Context

Charter rate benchmarks and segment commentary relevant to the valuation.

7
Methodology & Disclaimer

Full methodology statement, assumptions, and standard valuation disclaimer.

8
Data Sources Appendix

Every dataset referenced in the report, with provenance and refresh date.

Download an Express Sample Report

Ready to See What Your Vessel Is Actually Worth?

Order a report from $999 in 5 to 7 days, or pay $2,999 for Express delivery in 24 hours. No subscription. No sales call required.