How to Do Competitor Analysis with Shipment Data

To analyse a competitor with shipment data, look up their company name as a shipper or consignee in Bill of Lading records to reveal their suppliers, buyers, products, volumes, ports and shipping frequency over time.

What you can uncover

• Their suppliers — who manufactures the goods your competitor sells.
• Their customers — the buyers they ship to (for exporters).
• Volumes & trends — whether they are growing or shrinking, and their peak seasons.
• Trade lanes & ports — the routes and gateways they rely on.

How to run the analysis

1. Search the competitor's name in the shipper and consignee fields.
2. List their counterparties (suppliers or buyers).
3. Chart their shipment volume by month to spot growth and seasonality.
4. Identify supplier overlaps you could approach, or buyers you could win.

Turn it into action

Once you know a competitor's suppliers, you can source from the same factories. Once you know their buyers, you can pitch them. Start with the Bill of Lading database or a free sample.