BIMCO’s awards are intended to celebrate excellence in shipping. This year, they were presented at BIMCO’s Annual Conference in Hamburg on 18 November 2015.

The 2015 BIMCO Education & Training Award, sponsored by Spectec, was awarded to the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

The judges chose the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers as the winner of this award because: “…it fulfills a unique role; providing global, professional shipping qualifications, holding all students to an equally high standard, but ensuring none are left behind.”

On November 19^th, 2015 , The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) Canada Branch hosted the second annual Dry Bulk & Commodities Conference to a sold-out crowd against the stunning back drop of the Vancouver Convention Center.  Doubling the attendance from its’ inaugural year and despite today’s challenging shipping markets, the event was well supported by local sponsors and featured top industry representatives speakers. 

 Dena Rantz, ICS Canada Branch chair notes: “It is important for us as a maritime community on the west coast, to provide opportunities and events, which brings together our local industry to share knowledge and network.”

The speakers at the conference focused on commodities; including grain, potash, coal, and logs, with an insightful overview of the current dry bulk market and its future outlook.  The conference was followed by the ICS annual Christmas Pub night to thank all those that support the ICS year-round.

Event was also picked up by the industry media:

http://www.bcshippingnews.com/photo/ics-annual-dry-bulk-commodities-conference-huge-success

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An ICS luncheon talk was held in Montreal on October 28th 2015 on “The Impact of Recent International Developments on the Quebec Maritime Industry”. We were very honoured to have as our speaker, Prof Claude Comtois, Dept of Geography at the University of Montreal, who gave a very passionate, eye-opening and inspiring presentation. The talk started with an examination of the many elements to consider when formulating a maritime strategy. It then proceeded with a whirlwind tour of a wide range of maritime strategies being undertaken in a number leading maritime countries such as China, Singapore, Holland, Germany and Russia and asked why we might not be able to something similar in Quebec. It ended with a consideration of the potential for a Quebec maritime strategy.

The event was met with a very good turnout and the audience was clearly captivated by the presentation, asking many questions throughout. It was a very enjoyable and mind-expanding way to spend a lunch hour!

Our next ICS event in Montreal will be our Christmas Pub Night. Do look out for it! We hope you can join us!!!

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To prepare local students for the upcoming ICS exams in November 2015, study sessions were held in Montreal from October 20th through 23rd covering “Economics of Sea Transport & International Trade”, “Legal Principles of Shipping Business” and “Port Agency”.

The sessions were held over two-hour lunch periods at the office of Fednav where most of the participants worked. “Economics” was led by Julian Hung, ICS Canada Branch East Coast Representative, “Legal” by David Colford, maritime lawyer with Brisset Bishop and “Port Agency” by Capt Cavit Minic (winner of Shipbrokers Register award for highest marks in Port Agency in the April 2015 exams).

Session leaders shared their knowledge and experience with the students and guided them through past exam questions. For their part, the students were very keen, actively trying to understand the concepts and how to explain and apply them. ICS hopes that they came away from the sessions with a much better understanding of their subjects and how they should approach their exams.Good luck to our students!!!

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An ICS luncheon talk was held in Montreal on October 7th 2015 on the topic of “Strikes, Congestion & Bills of Lading Remedies”. We were very honoured to have as our speaker, Peter Pamel, Partner at Borden Ladner Gervais, who gave an wonderfully clear, careful and insightful treatment of the subject.

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Based on members’ feedback we have now established an Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Members Only LinkedIn group.

This is a closed group exclusively for members and fellows of the Institute, including retired and life members. Once a member has paid their annual membership subscription fee, we will send them an invitation to join the group.

Some members may have set up their LinkedIn profile using a different email address than the one that they have registered with the Institute. In these cases we will endeavour to contact the member and ask for the LinkedIn email address so we can send them an invitation.

It is not compulsory for members to join the LinkedIn group.

However, by joining the group it will help validate the member’s current membership of the Institute as membership of the group will be displayed on the member’s profile. It will allow members to network easily with other members.

Members are encouraged to comment and offer insights on current shipping industry news and issues as well as Institute matters. We will be developing the other LinkedIn group options in the near future.

Members who lapse and do not pay their annual membership subscription fees will be removed from the group.

Well done to everyone who passed their exams and many congratulations to all who completed their qualification for membership. We very much look forward to welcoming you as a member of the ICS very soon.

If you have taken a Diploma in April 2015 with the Institute, and you have been successful you will only find your name listed under the option subject. i.e. Foundation Diploma Dry Cargo Chartering.

Unfortunately, if your name doesn’t appear on the lists provided you have been unsuccessful but we very much hope that you will continue with your ICS studies and examinations. If you have any post-examination queries, please contact the ICS head office at enquiries@ics.org.uk. You can use the form on this page if you wish to apply for a review of one of your exam subjects. The deadline for receipt of review forms is Thursday 10th September 2015.

If you think you may have completed your qualification, but your name doesn’t appear on the Professional Qualifying Exams (PQEs) completed list, you may need to have your exemptions confirmed. Please contact the ICS head office at enquiries@ics.org.uk.

All students will receive a letter confirming the details of their results. For those who have completed their PQEs, a membership application form can be downloaded from this page .

Please note that the ICS head office will be open from 8am until 7pm (BST) on Thursday 6th August & Friday 7th August to answer exam queries; normal office hours (9am/5.00pm) resume from Monday 10th August.

How was my paper marked?

Post Examination Review April 2015 

2015-16  Application for Membership

Advanced Diploma

Notice to ALL AD candidates: only successful individuals listed below, have passed both subjects and will be awarded the Advanced Diploma. You will not be listed separately for a successful Shipping Business or AD option exam, if you had registered at Advanced Diploma level.

Dry Cargo Chartering

Mrs Melissa Gobby

Miss G Belokopytova

Offshore support industry

Ms S Bennett

Professional Qualification Examinations (Passed)

Dry Cargo Chartering

Mr Salunke

Ms S D Bridges

Economics of Sea Transport

Ms G L Chinnery

Ms S D Bridges

Mr E Malavoy

Mr RP Nemes

Mr Trenkov

Ms N Wilson

Ms A Kassabian

Introduction to Shipping

Mr G Beaton

Mr L S Grant

Legal Principles in Shipping Business

Miss C Legault

Captain C Minic

Mr RP Nemes

Mr Trenkov

Port Agency

Captain C Minic

Port and Terminal Management

Mr S R Brown

Ship Operations & Management

Ms N Wilson

Ms G L Chinnery

Shipping Business

Ms A Kassabian

Mr G Beaton

Miss C Legault

Ms G L Chinnery

Professional Qualifying Examinations (Completed)

Capt C Minic

Mr G D Salunke

Mr RP Nemes

Prize Winners

Capt C Minic –  Port Agency –  Shipbrokers’ Register Award

Chairman Annual Report 2014-15

Dena Ranz,

ICS Canada Branch Chair

An appreciation event for the students who completed exams this April was held in Vancouver on May 28th. Canada Branch Members and industry professionals gathered to meet ICS students at Blackbird Public House and Oyster Pub.

ICS Canada Branch Chair Dena Ranz and Student Liason Director Kay Afghahi thanked all attendies for supportuing Institute and wished students success in their studies.

It was excellent opportunity for the students to meet industry professionals and network.

The ICS Canada Branch held a luncheon talk on Wednesday, May 27th in Montreal. The topic was “Subjects & the Formation of Maritime Contracts” and our speaker was David Colford, Partner at Brisset Bishop and National Vice-Chair of the Canadian Maritime Law Association.

David addressed a number of key issues including different types of subjects, the importance of the conduct of the parties, what is meant by bargaining in good faith and English vs American Law. He also highlighted some important cases and gave some helpful advice. As with so many things in shipping, something that seems rather straightforward can become quite involved but this of course is part of what makes it so fascinating!

The talk was well-attended with good participation from the audience. With lunch, a bit of networking and an insightful talk, we hope that all participants found it a worthwhile way to spend their lunch hour. We also wish to thank the Shipping Federation of Canada for the usual great support in providing a very pleasant venue for our talks!

On May 15^th Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers  Canada Branch was excited to bring ICS Members, Students and industry professionals for the tour around Seaspan, the largest shipyard in Vancouver.

Almost 30 people from various companies as well as Marine Campus students joined us for this tour.

Upon arrival at the facility visitors were greeted by Jonathan Whitworth, CEO of the Seaspan who prepared detailed presentation on the history, development and future outlook of the shipyard.

After loud cheering of Jonathan Whitworth visitors split in two groups and being guided by shipyard employees Mr. K. Dunn and Mrs. L. Stewart went around the shipyard.

Seaspan is relatively small but a modern shipyard. It is designed to build special purpose and coastal vessels. Dry dock can accommodate up to panamax size tonnage for the repairs.

Visitors were explained and demonstrated where modules of the future vessels are built, how they are put together.  Everyone appreciated how well shipyard is organized and equipped.  It was a discovery tour for the most of the visitors.

The ICS Canada Branch held a luncheon talk on Tuesday, May 12th in Montreal. The topic was “Ship Arrest” and our speaker was Ms.Andrea J Sterling, Partner at law firm Robinson, Sheppard, Shapiro.

Andrea addressed key aspects of ship arrest as well as shared much of her personal experience in the field. We also had wonderful participation from the audience both in terms of questions and comments. We all came away with a better appreciation of this important but very specialised and complex topic.

ICS also thanks RSS for the use of their beautiful boardroom.

The ICS Canada Branch organized a tour of the Port of Montreal on April 13th 2015.

The weather was beautiful and we had a solid turnout of 12 members of the shipping industry including a number of students.

Thanks to our guide Capt Ivan Lantz of the Company of Master Mariners of Canada and our driver Cindy Fairhurst of the Mariners House, we got a very nice insider’s view of both the operation centre as well as the many container, dry bulk, general cargo and tanker terminals. Without a doubt, everyone came away with a better appreciation of the size and complexity of port activity and the 24/7 nature of the shipping business!

The ICS Canada Branch held a luncheon talk on Wednesday, April 8th in Montreal. The topic was “Maritime Litigation, Arbitration & Mediation” and we were honoured to have as our speaker, Mr. John Weale, Senior Vice-President – Risk Management, Fednav International Limited.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – FROM EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 27th February 2015

We are just over mid way through our financial year, and so this is gives us the opportunity to measure our performance. In financial terms the Institute is on a firm and even keel, showing a net profit to the end of December 2014 of £ 53 229, with our Head of Finance forecasting a year end profit of about £ 70 000. With the final date for examination entry on 14th February, the March management accounts will be able to give us a much more accurate end of year figure. These figures give much encouragement, and indicate that we are on the right course.

Significantly, despite the austerity budget for travel, between the Head Office staff and senior officers, all the branches have now been visited within the past two years.

Undoubtedly the main event since Controlling Council was the November exams. Conducted as a trial, initial indications are that these were a great success with three times the expected numbers. Though it may take several sets of examinations to make a full analysis, we should congratulate the Head Office for their hard work in achieving these targets and for having the courage to accept this challenge.

Pleasingly this had led to increased applications for membership during a period in the year, which in this respect, traditionally has been less active.

On another positive note, it is good to have Robert Hill FICS as our new Head of Membership. This position has been vacant for nearly half a year. It was important to get the right person in place, and I believe that this has been achieved. This should add to our momentum of improving branch reporting and full transparency. I am sure that you will give him your full support.

It is opportune to remind members of Executive Council that we are accountable to Controlling Council, and that our primary role is to make expedient and timely executive decisions on behalf of Controlling Council. Their attendance and contribution at these meetings are therefore valued and important.

We also have one vacancy on the Executive Council, and will be calling for nominations from all branches for election soon.

Your Controlling Council representatives will have been contacted about our potential dates for the next meeting in November. As branches, if there are issues you feel should be raised at this level, please utilise your Council representative or contact the head office membership team, and we can ensure it is added to our agenda.

My thanks go to Julie and the Head Office team for their ongoing efforts, and making us proud to be members of the Institute.

Richard Brook-Hart FICS

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING

Held at the Mariners Club, Hong Kong on the 6th March 2015

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Dear Branch Chairmen and Branch Secretaries,

It is my pleasure to report to you on the recent annual face to face meeting of the Membership Committee held in Hong Kong. This was the first time the Membership Committee had met away from London. The Membership Committee is very grateful for the great organisation and warm hospitality extended by YK Chan, Manson Cheung and all the Hong Kong branch committee.

The Membership Committee had a one day workshop prior to the meeting for the first time and then Membership Committee members stayed for an additional day to assist with the Hong Kong branch’s local Prep day.

The Membership Committee welcomed one new committee member, Austin Dooley from Rotterdam who will represent those members of the Institute who are not directly associated with a branch.

The Membership Committee was very pleased to see that there were 73 new members elected at the last Executive Council meeting in late February. This is a very high number for February and is probably due to the trial examination session held last November.

All members are strongly encouraged to fully utilise the database www.shipbrokers.org to manage and update their details and make their contact details available to other members to successfully network.

Clarifying membership criteria

After a lengthy discussion during the workshop and committee meeting, the Membership Committee discussed the pathway to membership and the need to clarify the criteria for membership and the different levels of membership. It was agreed to develop the pathway to membership for approval by the Executive Council / Controlling Council.

The Membership Committee agreed that the Institute should continue to have stringent entry criteria to preserve the Institute’s high standard in the shipping community. The Institute’s membership numbers should be driven by the quality of members not solely on quantity.

It was agreed that members cannot use the Institute logo on their company business cards as this could be perceived that the Institute is endorsing the company or that the company is a Company

Member which is not the case.

Code of Conduct

Leading on from the discussion on membership criteria, the Membership Committee believes that the Institute should also develop a Code of Conduct for members. Initial ideas were tabled but this will need further work and development before being presented to all branches for debate at the next Controlling Council meeting in November 2015.

Corporate Supporter Scheme

The Membership Committee has now scoped this out sufficiently for the Secretariat to draft a paper to present to the Executive Council / Controlling Council.

Lapsed Member criteria

The Membership Committee reviewed and discussed the feedback from the branches covering branch views on lapsed membership. Thank you to all those branches that contributed. The Membership Committee will now prepare a draft paper considering the feedback.

The Membership Committee is permitted to have 10 members plus the chairman so there are currently two positions available. In the best interests of the Membership Committee, I will also shortly step down from the committee as chairman, since I have taken up the Head of Membership role at the Secretariat. Branches will be called upon in the near future for nominations.

Finally Membership Committee members were invited to share their vision and goals for the Institute over the next five years which proved a very interesting insight into the possible future for the Institute.

The Membership Committee would also like to thank Julie, Eleonora and all the team in Head Office for the valuable work that they do to support the Membership Committee and all members.

The next Membership Committee meeting will be via video conference on the 14th May 2015. The Membership Committee is here to represent the whole membership of the Institute so we always welcome any ideas or suggestions to add to our agenda from Branches or individual members which can be sent to us on email: membership@ics.org.uk.

Best wishes

Robert Hill FICS

Membership Committee Chairman

MC Meeting Chairmans Report 06 03 2015

On March 4th, 2015 ICS Canada Branch held very successful seminar on the impact of the oil prices on the shipping industry presented by Kim Duff, Market Analyst, Strategic Development with Teekay Corporation.

Full room was sold out.

Copy of the presentation can be viewed here.

On November 20, 2014 ICS Canada Branch was pleased to host the 2014 Annual Dry Bulk & Commodities Conference in Vancouver, BC. The event took place at Simon Fraser University, Harbour Centre. 

Conference presentations are posted in our Library

We would like to thank event sponsors:

The ICS Canada Branch held a luncheon talk on Maritime Transport Geography on Wednesday, November 12th 2014 at the Shipping Federation of Canada Boardroom in Montreal.

We were honoured to have as our speaker Brian Slack, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Concordia University. Professor Slack shared his personal experience doing research in the field of transport geography and highlighted some recent projects he has been working on in the maritime field. The talk was extremely well-attended with participants asking many questions. We all came away with a different way of looking at the world and a better sense of the transportation challenges involved.

The next ICS event in Montreal will be our annual Christmas Pub Night in December. Do stay tuned and look forward to seeing ICS members, students and the shipping industry at large.

On September 24th Canada Branch held a pretty successful seminar on the using of methanol as fuel in shipping industry.

Presentation was given by Jason Chesko of Methanex.  Copy we have saved on our website for all who missed this event: Methanol as a Marine Fuel – Sep 24-2014

Jason Chesko and Dena Rantz, Chair of ICS Canada Branch  after the seminar: