Despite continuing headwinds in global shipping, the conveyor belt of young professionals who have passed their qualifying exams continues to deliver talent to the industry.
For those well versed in shipping cycles, it provides comfort that the next generation continues to show faith in forging a career in commercial shipping — vital to ensuring a prosperous future for world trade.
Jobs in maritime services happen to be good also — for the employee and the economy — as the sector punches well above its weight in gross value added, offering meaningful work with opportunities for foreign travel, solving looming technical, environmental and social challenges, with options to learn, innovate and specialise.
Approaching the first centenary of its royal charter, the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) continues to play a leading role in enabling professional standards with its international footprint of 25 branches, 15 teaching centres and more than 100 exam centres in key maritime regions.
“This year, more than 3,000 students sat around 5,000 exams and we continue to offer the industry rigorous qualifications that are trusted, where MICS [member of the ICS] on a business card provides confidence,” ICS director Julie Lithgow said.
“We feel we are still unique on many fronts: as a non-profit we can commit fully to our education mission so that, regardless of background and location, everyone has the opportunity to become involved.
“The institute also makes a bold promise that wherever a student is located, we will organise a suitable local exam centre.
“This year, we established centres in Manassas, Dnepropetrovsk, Turku, Bogota and Dunkirk.
“In coming years, we will invest to extend our international network of support into more new territories and reach new people through our developing co-operation with Wista [Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association], Bimco and other key bodies.”
This year’s annual prize giving will return to Trinity House in London on 20 October. It will celebrate those students who have achieved the highest marks across the subject syllabus, with the event attended by shipping industry leaders awarding around 30 prizes sponsored by leading companies in attendance.
The winners are drawn from Canada, Greece, India, Ireland, Kenya, South Africa, Spain, the United Arab Emirates and the UK.
“This has to be the best part of my role as president of the institute, Dr Parakrama Dissanayake said.
“It’s another great year of success stories, which makes all their hard work worth it.
“We congratulate students on their individual achievements and look forward to welcoming new members to the institute in the coming days.”
This year’s results come on the back of another strong year for the ICS, which has announced partnerships with Bimco and Wista, and anticipates further investment in the Philippines, China and Malta.
