Institute honoured for its ongoing commitment in supporting professional maritime education around the world.

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, the maritime industry’s only body dedicated to professional education, has won the BIMCO Education and Training Award 2015.

The Institute scooped the award in recognition of its investment in new learning, growth in student and graduate numbers and innovative teaching techniques.

In 2014 the Institute took the decision to double its examination programme and for the first time organised two series of exams inside 12 months. In the first year, more than 4,000 students sat some 6,000 exams in more than 100 exam centres around the world.

In September 2015, the Institute was selected to take part in the International Maritime Organization’s World Maritime Day programme, sharing the message about the vital role of shipping in delivering goods and services around the world with primary school students.

Institute Director Julie Lithgow accepted the award in Hamburg:

“I’m thrilled to receive this award on behalf of all the students and members of the Institute past and present. Institute students are a privilege to work with. They are exactly what our industry needs – smart, courageous knowledge seekers who have invested in obtaining professional qualifications and will in turn will support learning by giving their time to the next generation of students.”

For over 100 years, the Institute has occupied a critical position in the industry’s maritime education arena. Its founding principle – to make education and qualification as accessible as possible – means that Institute members subsidise exams for students who would otherwise have no access to maritime qualifications.

BIMCO Deputy Secretary General Michael Lund explained the judging panel’s decision:

“BIMCO felt this award was deserved by the Institute because of its unique role; providing global, professional shipping qualifications, holding all students to an equally high standard, but ensuring no one is left behind.”

The Institute plays a unique role in the shipping industry, with deep roots in the City of London and a diverse membership in established and emerging maritime centres. Students anywhere in the world can sit its exams with the examination centre and an invigilator provided by the Institute.

About the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers was established in 1911 and received Royal Charter in 1920. It is the only internationally recognised professional educational body in the maritime arena and represents shipbrokers, ship managers and agents worldwide. ICS is based in the heart of the City of London and has 25 branches in key shipping locations worldwide with 4,000 individual and 120 company members. ICS membership represents a commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards across the shipping industry. The turnover of the Institute is around GBP1.5 million. There are 15 employees in the head office in London.

About BIMCO

BIMCO is the world’s largest international shipping association, with 2,200 members in around 130 countries. Our members represent around 60% of the world’s commercial fleet. We provide a wide range of services to our global membership – which includes shipowners, operators, managers, brokers and agents. BIMCO’s core objective is to facilitate the commercial operations of our members by developing standard contracts and clauses, and providing quality information, advice and education. BIMCO promotes fair business practices, free trade and open access to markets and we are a strong advocate for the harmonisation and standardisation of all shipping related activity. BIMCO actively promotes the application of globally agreed regulatory instruments – we are accredited as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with all relevant United Nations agencies and other regulatory entities.

Earlier this month saw the launch by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers South Africa of a new education programme, High Tide.

Read the full article below.

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers South Africa is proud to announce that a new education programme called “High Tide”, which was first launched about 2 years ago in the North East coast of England, where un-employment is at about 40%, will be launched in South Africa.

This exciting project is aimed at under-privileged school children between the age of 8 and 18. The programme shows boys and girls what great opportunities the shipping industry can offer to those interested in a truly global industry.

The primary reason for my visit to South Africa is to promote Professional Education in Shipping through the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Education and Training programmes.

I shall be meeting personnel from all sectors of the shipping community in order to discuss how the ICS can further assist our South African colleagues in meeting our mutual targets and objectives of professionalism in the shipping industry.

Visits are planned to the School of Shipping, in Cape Town, and to Sithengile Secondary School, in Durban, where we bring shipping to the classroom. I will also have the opportunity to meet some of our students and to present awards to those who have been successful in passing our very difficult examinations.

Finally a new education programme called “High Tide”, which was first launched about 2 years ago in the North East coast of England, where un-employment is at about 40%, will be launched in South Africa during my visit. This exciting project is aimed at under-privileged school children between the age of 8 and 18. The programme shows boys and girls what great opportunities the shipping industry can offer to those interested in a truly global industry.

Bruce Ogilvy F.I.C.S
Vice President ICS

As the international professional body to the commercial shipping industry, ICS is well placed to promote education and professional standards in shipping.

The ICS South Africa Branch, today announced their donation to the Department of Education.

Natasha Vaughan, ICS SA Branch Chairman says: “We are delighted to be assisting with this initiative. Our vision it to continue promoting quality education to entrants into our Industry.”

The ICS has been involved in many Career Awareness programmes and is aware that it is essential to embrace development that will ultimately encourage employment within the Maritime Industry.

The current initiative will assist Educators within the Department of Education, with their curriculum and other aspects of Maritime Economics.

Key representatives of both the ICS South Africa and the Department of Education will be present at a Cocktail Event held in Durban, to celebrate the ICS SA’s 20 year anniversary.