Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Welcomes Record Numbers to Global Membership

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers has welcomed 200 new members at the annual meeting of its Controlling Council, held this year in Vancouver, Canada.

In being formally elected to membership of the ICS, one of shipping’s oldest professional bodies, the candidates join an organisation of 25 branches, 18 teaching centres and 4,000 individuals which supports the development of shipping professionals globally.

Applications came from 40 countries with the largest growth areas being London, Athens, Mombasa and Dubai, each accounting for 10% or more of the 200 new members.

Across the maritime world, members of the Institute are part of an internationally recognised network of shipping professionals who work towards high professional ethical standards of trust and have proven knowledge, competence and understanding of the broad spectrum of shipping business.

ICS Director Julie Lithgow, says the level of interest in ICS membership demonstrates that in the wake of London International Shipping Week and a wide-ranging debate on London’s commercial future, qualifications speak most loudly when building a maritime career.

“The credibility of any training institution rests not just with the standard of education provided, but with the students who progress through its doors and the ethics they display. To commit to learning new skills and being brave enough to take exams to prove that you have acquired these skills, is doubly commendable when the economic outlook and job market prospects remain uncertain.”

Welcoming the new ICS members to the organisation, Lithgow added that ensuring the shipping industry is fit for the future meant engendering a spirit of curiosity and instilling the importance of professional development and learning over simple networking opportunities.

“Wanting to study more, to learn more, must be a habit we all develop. It will make our industry stronger, and it will help shipping professionals move through our industry to become leaders. Aristotle said ‘excellence is an art won by training and habit’. Our new members are making a very public commitment to seeking out excellence in their careers, and making it a habit”.