Monday 30 March 2015

What is the role of a ship broker?

A ship broker plays a very important role in the transport of goods by sea, and the broker’s main role is to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible, bringing all the parties involved together and resolving any issues as they occur.

Examples of the type of project we oversee could include matching a UK-based grain merchant that needs to sell 3,000mt of grain to a client in Morocco and who is looking for a suitable ship to transport it with a European ship owner who is travelling to Morocco and is looking for cargo to take back to Northern Europe.

A ship broker usually works on behalf of one of the parties but acts as a mediator between one or more of them. The simplest scenarios to oversee usually involve just a cargo merchant, a ship broker, the ship owner/charterer and the purchaser of the cargo that’s being shipped.

Sometimes things can become more complicated, and that’s when the ship broker’s work is really cut out for them. In some cases, we can be dealing with a cargo seller, who has a broker of their own acting on their behalf, in addition to an intermediate broker, the charterer’s broker, the charterer, the ship owner and then buyer of the goods. It can be a challenge to keep the communication going between so many different parties; all with their own interests, but a good ship broker will have the benefit of experience and a good network of contacts throughout the business.

T.ward shipping is proud to have built up a great range of clients and contacts during out many years’ ship broking experience, throughout the UK and Europe. We are happy to facilitate and oversee all aspects of Shipbroking and charters for your cargo or ship.

Tuesday 17 March 2015

Good Luck with the ICS Exams

This time of year means just one thing for some young students in the shipping industry; their Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers exams. These important exams are looming now and it’s likely that most students will truly have their heads buried in their books.

The ICS is the professional body for members of the commercial shipping industry, founded in 1911 and awarded a Royal Charter in 1920. It is the only internationally recognized professional body in the commercial maritime sector representing all section of commercial shipping such as brokers, managers and agents, with 24 branches in key locations all over the world and a membership of over 4,000 individuals.

The Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) is the top ICS qualification, which is designed to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the commercial shipping industry. The PQE is made up of seven separate exams that can be taken over a period of five years, although most people complete them more quickly.

Embarking on PQE will mean you need to sit a minimum of two exams in your first year (one of which must be Shipping Business), and after that you can decide which subjects to take from the syllabus. Once you have completed your PQEs you will be eligible to apply for membership with the Institute.

t.ward shipping recognizes the contribution ICS has made to the commercial shipping industry in the UK and worldwide which is why we ensure that all of our new employees take steps to completing the Professional Qualifying Examinations (PQE) in topics such as Shipping Law and Dry Cargo Chartering (and more.)

There are other educational options with the ICS such as foundation diploma and advanced diploma, but only those who complete the PQE are eligible for membership of the ICS. Whichever avenue a student chooses to take, they can be sure the education they will get from the ICS will be a tremendous foundation to work from in their professional shipping career.

Our very own Callum Hamilton (MICS) completed his PQE in 2011 gaining membership to ICS in 2012. His hard work also gained him the Port Agency prize for best marks in the Port Agency exam in 2010.

Callum was delighted with his award and said, “All students want to pass their exams, and the target is always the pass mark, but it’s a real bonus when your hard work is recognised and rewarded.”

To all the students preparing for 2015 exams in April, t.ward shipping would like formally wish you good luck and best wishes.

For more information on the ICS please go to http://www.ics.org.uk/home