Maritime · head to head
MDS Transmodal vs Shone
The short version
- Each has a real cost: MDS Transmodal no pricing published on website, consulting-based engagement only; Shone shone Automation was acquired by Bedrock Ocean Exploration in April 2022 and the product is no longer sold under the Shone name
- They diverge on capability: MDS Transmodal covers Container trade data, Shone covers Autonomous navigation.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MDS Transmodal and Shone actually diverge.
| Attribute | MDS Transmodal | Shone |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $600/month | $3000/month |
| Platforms | Web | Maritime vessels |
| Founded | 1988 | 2017 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maritime).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in MDS Transmodal
- Container trade data
- Port statistics
- Intermodal analysis
- Custom research
- Data exports
- Custom reports
Only in Shone
- Autonomous navigation
- Collision avoidance
- Sensor fusion
- Decision support
- Bridge systems
- ECDIS
- Radar
- AIS
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MDS Transmodal
- Transport market feasibility studies and demand forecasting for new opportunitiesnot Shone
- Infrastructure planning and transport network capacity analysisnot Shone
- Due diligence and risk assessment for freight investment decisionsnot Shone
- Freight sector policy analysis and regulatory impact evaluationnot Shone
- Quantitative modeling across maritime, rail, road, and logisticsnot Shone
Shone
No use cases recorded yet. See the Shone review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
MDS Transmodal
- No pricing published on website, consulting-based engagement only
- Requires direct contact and negotiation for each project engagement
- Results and services dependent on consultant experience and proprietary databases
- Not a self-service platform, requires human expertise and custom analysis
Shone
- Shone Automation was acquired by Bedrock Ocean Exploration in April 2022 and the product is no longer sold under the Shone name
- shone.io no longer resolves
Pricing, plan by plan
MDS Transmodal
$600/month- Data Access$1200/month
- Container data
- Port statistics
- Trade flows
Shone
$3000/month- Professional$8000/month
- Autonomous navigation
- Collision avoidance
- Bridge integration
Which should you pick?
Choose MDS Transmodal if
- You need container trade data.
- You also want port statistics.
Choose Shone if
- You need autonomous navigation.
- You work on Maritime vessels.
- You also want collision avoidance.
Questions people ask
- Is MDS Transmodal or Shone better?
- Neither clearly leads. MDS Transmodal starts at $600/month and Shone at $3000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MDS Transmodal or Shone?
- MDS Transmodal starts at $600/month and Shone at $3000/month.
- Does MDS Transmodal or Shone run on more platforms?
- MDS Transmodal runs on Web. Shone runs on Maritime vessels.
- What is MDS Transmodal best used for?
- MDS Transmodal is most often used for transport market feasibility studies and demand forecasting for new opportunities, infrastructure planning and transport network capacity analysis, due diligence and risk assessment for freight investment decisions, freight sector policy analysis and regulatory impact evaluation. Of those, transport market feasibility studies and demand forecasting for new opportunities and infrastructure planning and transport network capacity analysis are not what Shone is typically brought in for.
- What can MDS Transmodal do that Shone cannot?
- MDS Transmodal covers Container trade data, Port statistics, Intermodal analysis, Custom research. Shone covers Autonomous navigation, Collision avoidance, Sensor fusion, Decision support. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
MDS Transmodal: How much does MDS Transmodal cost?
MDS Transmodal does not publish pricing on its website. It is a consulting firm providing bespoke strategic advice. Pricing is quote-based and depends on project scope, duration, data requirements, and consultant time allocation. Contact them directly to discuss your specific transport economics needs.
SourceShone: What does Shone's autonomous technology do?
Shone retrofits ships with autonomous technologies to improve safety, security and crew quality of life. The system provides assistance through situational awareness and course recommendations, which reduces watchkeeper fatigue and helps prevent accidents.
SourceMDS Transmodal: Does MDS Transmodal offer a software platform or only consulting?
MDS Transmodal is primarily a transport economics consulting firm, not a software vendor. They provide strategic consulting, quantitative analysis, and modeling services. While they maintain proprietary databases and models, they do not offer a self-service software platform.
SourceShone: How does Shone detect surrounding vessels?
Shone's proprietary detection algorithm is based on data gathered from ship sensors including AIS, radar and GPS, with additional cameras installed on board for computer vision capabilities.
SourceMDS Transmodal: Does MDS Transmodal cover all transportation modes?
Yes. MDS Transmodal provides analysis and consulting across road, rail, air, and maritime freight sectors. Their expertise spans port connectivity, global shipping networks, trade corridor analysis, and multi-modal supply chain optimization for clients worldwide.
SourceRelated pages
More on MDS Transmodal
Other head to heads
- MDS Transmodal vs Kongsberg Maritime
- MDS Transmodal vs MarineTraffic
- MDS Transmodal vs ChartCo
- MDS Transmodal vs Sea Machines
- MDS Transmodal vs Linerlytica
- MDS Transmodal vs Sea-Intelligence
- MDS Transmodal vs Clarksons
- MDS Transmodal vs Flexport
- MDS Transmodal vs ORBCOMM
- MDS Transmodal vs Terminal49
- MDS Transmodal vs ShipNet
- MDS Transmodal vs CargoSmart
- MDS Transmodal vs Kaleris
- MDS Transmodal vs Kongsberg Vessel Insight
- MDS Transmodal vs Pole Star Global
- MDS Transmodal vs Portcast
- MDS Transmodal vs Wartsila Voyage
- MDS Transmodal vs Orca AI
- MDS Transmodal vs Nautilus Labs
- MDS Transmodal vs NAVTOR
- MDS Transmodal vs Voyager Worldwide
- MDS Transmodal vs project44
- MDS Transmodal vs Veson Nautical
- MDS Transmodal vs Dataloy
- MDS Transmodal vs NAPA Fleet Intelligence
- MDS Transmodal vs Sofar Ocean
- MDS Transmodal vs S&P Global Maritime
- MDS Transmodal vs Spire Global Maritime
- Shone vs Kongsberg Maritime
- Shone vs MarineTraffic
- Shone vs ChartCo
- Shone vs Sea Machines
- Shone vs Linerlytica
- Shone vs Sea-Intelligence
- Shone vs Clarksons
- Shone vs Flexport
- Shone vs ORBCOMM
- Shone vs Terminal49
- Shone vs ShipNet
- Shone vs CargoSmart
- Shone vs Kaleris
- Shone vs Kongsberg Vessel Insight
- Shone vs Pole Star Global
- Shone vs Portcast
- Shone vs Wartsila Voyage
- Shone vs Orca AI
- Shone vs Nautilus Labs
- Shone vs NAVTOR
- Shone vs Voyager Worldwide
- Shone vs project44
- Shone vs Veson Nautical
- Shone vs Dataloy
- Shone vs NAPA Fleet Intelligence
- Shone vs Sofar Ocean
- Shone vs S&P Global Maritime
- Shone vs Spire Global Maritime

