The Dry Bulk Centre of Excellence

What The Dry Bulk Centre of Excellence does

The Dry Bulk Centre of Excellence (DBCE) is an independent, not-for-profit industry organisation founded in April 2024 by INTERCARGO and RightShip and registered in England and Wales (company number 14965202) with its headquarters in London. Its mission is to reduce operational incidents and raise standards in dry bulk shipping by administering the Dry Bulk Management Standard (DryBMS), a structured framework developed over four years of industry collaboration. The DryBMS framework comprises 30 subject areas across four categories — Performance, People, Plant, and Process — each graded against four maturity levels (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Excellence), with 17 priority subject areas identified as having the greatest impact on safety, environmental performance, and operational efficiency.

DBCE's core product is the DryBMS digital self-assessment portal, a cloud-based platform where Document of Compliance (DoC) holders complete structured self-assessments, upload supporting evidence, and track improvement over time. An add-on Verification Accreditation System (VAS) provides standardised third-party audits through a pool of DBCE-trained auditors. The organisation earns revenue through two principal subscription tiers — Owner/Manager subscribers (DoC holders completing self-assessments) and Stakeholder subscribers (charterers, insurers, P&I Clubs, banks, ports, terminals, flag states, and trade organisations) — supplemented by verification audit fees and per-document download fees. GTM is community-led, with members including large ship owners and managers (Ariston Navigation, D'Amico, Maran Dry, Thenamaris, Tsakos, VShips, Wallem), charterers (Rio Tinto), classification societies (ClassNK), and technology/insurance providers (Solverminds, Howden, Prevention at Sea). Governance is multi-stakeholder, with a Board including representatives from shipowners, charterers, RightShip, INTERCARGO, BIMCO, and ICS, and day-to-day operations led by Managing Director Michael Phoon (appointed January 2026).

Name

The Dry Bulk Centre of Excellence

Legal name

Dry Bulk Centre of Excellence

Website

https://dbce.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DBCE is an independent London-based not-for-profit founded in 2024 by INTERCARGO and RightShip to administer the DryBMS framework, a 30-area, four-level self-assessment standard that helps dry bulk ship owners, managers, charterers, and insurers measure and improve operational excellence beyond regulatory compliance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Owner/Manager Subscription: Annual subscription fees for ship owners and/or managers who are directly responsible for operational management of vessels as Document of Compliance (DoC) holders. Fees include access to the DryBMS platform and self-assessment tools.
2. Stakeholder Subscription: Subscription fees for entities who are not DOC holders but have a vested interest in DBCE's activities, including charterers, traders, insurers, P&I Clubs, banks/financial institutions, ports, terminals, flag states, and trade organisations. Pro-rata fees from current quarter.
3. Verification Audit Fees: Fees for independent verification audits conducted by DBCE accredited auditors. DoC holders can opt to have their self-assessments verified for additional assurance.
4. Document Access Fees: Fee for each download of published self-assessments by stakeholders who wish to access Owner/Manager subscribers' published self-assessments on the portal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DBCE is an independent not-for-profit industry organisation that administers the Dry Bulk Management Standard (DryBMS) framework and operates the DryBMS Portal, a cloud-based self-assessment platform. Ship owners, managers, and stakeholders (charterers, insurers, P&I Clubs, banks) subscribe to access the framework, complete or review self-assessments across 30 subject areas and four maturity levels, and obtain independent verification audits from DBCE-accredited auditors.

Product overview

DBCE offers a unified platform built around the DryBMS (Dry Bulk Management Standard) framework, which provides shipowners and managers with a self-assessment framework to achieve operational excellence beyond compliance. The core offering consists of the DryBMS Framework with four maturity levels (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Excellence) across 30 subject areas, supported by the DryBMS Portal - a cloud-based self-assessment platform. Add-on services include the Verification Accreditation System (VAS) for independent audit verification and comprehensive guidance documentation. DBCE operates subscription-based access with two tiers: Owner/Manager subscribers who complete self-assessments, and Stakeholder subscribers (charterers, insurers, traders) who access published assessments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DryBMS Framework A management standard providing 30 areas of management practice across four categories (Performance, People, Plant, Process) with four maturity levels (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Excellence) to help shipowners and managers move from minimum regulatory compliance to operational excellence in dry bulk shipping.
• DryBMS Portal (Self-Assessment Platform) A cloud-based digital self-assessment platform where DoC holders complete and submit assessments against the DryBMS framework, and other stakeholders (charterers, insurers, traders, banks) can request access to view and benchmark published assessments.
• Verification Accreditation System (VAS) A standardised process for independent verification audits of DryBMS self-assessments, delivered by DBCE-approved verification auditors who undergo strict training to ensure consistency across audits worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 bulk carrier incidents and more than 200 seafarer fatalities occurred in the last decade, demonstrating the need for standards beyond compliance that DryBMS addresses
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Prevention at SeacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Prevention at Sea joined as a member, bringing expertise in maritime auditing, compliance, and risk prevention. The award-winning, ISO 9001-certified organisation supports the continued development and adoption of DryBMS through robust assessment approaches.
• Solverminds (SVM)coreTechnology or Integration · 12 May 2026Solverminds joined DBCE as a leading provider of digital maritime and ship management solutions. Under Capt. Ritesh Sood's leadership, SVM brings expertise in ship management, HSEQ, audits, compliance, operational governance, and digital transformation to support DryBMS adoption.
• ClassNKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026ClassNK became the first classification society to join DBCE, marking an important step in broadening industry collaboration around DryBMS. The classification society brings valuable perspective from its longstanding role in supporting safe, reliable maritime operations.
• Rio TintocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Rio Tinto became the first major charterer to join DBCE as a stakeholder subscriber. The company is aligning its Designated Owners & Operators (DOO) standards with DryBMS and leveraging its position to drive adoption across the industry, marking a significant milestone for the framework.
• INTERCARGOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2024INTERCARGO (International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners) co-founded DBCE alongside RightShip to administer and govern the DryBMS framework. INTERCARGO provides industry leadership and stakeholder representation, contributing to the development and promotion of industry best practices in dry bulk shipping.
• RightShipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2024RightShip, the leading global ESG-focused digital maritime platform, co-founded DBCE alongside INTERCARGO. RightShip contributes maritime expertise, digital platform capabilities, and industry relationships to support the DryBMS framework and DBCE operations.
• International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2024ICS reviewed and endorsed the DryBMS standard as part of its development, providing industry credibility and alignment with international shipping standards.
• BIMCOminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2024BIMCO reviewed and endorsed the DryBMS standard during its development, contributing to industry validation of the framework.
• DryBMS CommitteecoreOthersOversees development, implementation and promotion of the DryBMS Standard. Committee has 9 members: DBCE Managing Director, 3 Owner/Manager representatives, 3 Stakeholder representatives, 1 RightShip representative, and 1 INTERCARGO representative.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DNV: Global classification society and assurance provider offering vessel certification, maritime advisory, and digital quality management tools. Comparable as a broad incumbent that combines classification with digital management system assessment and certification services relevant to DryBMS.
• Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore: Marine classification society and testing, inspection and certification (TIC) provider covering vessel classification, safety, and operational standards. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping audit, certification, and standards services for ship operators.
• Lloyd's Register: Long-established maritime classification society offering ship classification, statutory certification, and digital performance services. Comparable as a broad incumbent providing certification, risk, and advisory services that overlap with the DryBMS value proposition.

Direct peers

• BIMCO: The world's largest international shipping association, representing shipowners, operators, and other stakeholders, and an endorser of the DryBMS standard. Comparable as an industry body promoting standards, contracts, and best practices across shipping.
• RightShip: Co-founder of DBCE and the leading global ESG-focused digital maritime platform providing vessel vetting, risk, and sustainability data. Directly comparable as a maritime digital assessment and benchmarking platform with overlapping customer base in shipowners, charterers, and financiers.
• International Chamber of Shipping (ICS): Principal international trade association for the merchant shipping industry, representing over 80% of the world merchant tonnage and an endorser of DryBMS. Comparable as a global shipping industry body setting and endorsing operational standards.
• ClassNK: First classification society to join DBCE and one of the world's major classification societies, providing vessel safety, structural, and operational standards certification. Comparable as a maritime standards body whose classifications underpin vessel compliance and risk assessment.
• INTERCARGO: Co-founder of DBCE and the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners representing the dry bulk sector. Comparable as an industry association promoting best practices, safety, and standards for dry bulk shipping operators.

Emerging players

• Veson Nautical: Provider of maritime SaaS solutions for voyage management, freight operations, and shipping analytics. Comparable as a commercial maritime SaaS platform serving shipowners and charterers with data-driven decision and benchmarking tools.

Others

• International Association of Classification Societies (IACS): Umbrella association of major classification societies setting unified technical standards for ship design, construction, and maintenance. Comparable as an industry-level standards-setting body whose framework governance model parallels DBCE's multi-stakeholder committee approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DBCE_org
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dry-bulk-management-standard

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Dry Bulk Centre of Excellence