ICS (UK) breaks new ground in China

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) UK, which was founded in 1911 and received the Royal Charter in 1921, is fundamentally dedicated to promote professionalism in the international maritime industry through shipping education and training. 

Through its existence over 100 years, with over 100 branches/distance learning centres worldwide, the institute is the only professional body that sets the highest standards of professional service to the shipping industry the world over through the provision of an internationally recognised education programme. 

The letters MICS and FICS do make a point of difference in a very difficult and ever changing service sector which remain dependent on the knowledge and trust of its key decision makers. Governments across the world are seeking the ICS opinion on relevant shipping issues. ICS is a vibrant and go ahead professional body that is meeting the demands of the shipping profession in all corners of the globe.

As per the latest news from the ICS head office in London, the institute has signed a Tripartite Co-operation Agreement with China’s Ministry of Transport and China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, to launch the International Shipping Professionalism Development Programme. The agreement creates the first shipping training programme recognised by the top shipping qualification authority in China with international recognition by the institute.  

The aim of the programme is to help the city develop local talent and build its shipping services industry to international standards. Deputy Director of the Shanghai Pudong New Area, Da Nian Jian said the Institute’s global reputation, mature training programme and qualified tutors, would help promote professionalism and standardisation in Shanghai’s shipping industry. 

“The past year has seen the Institute go from strength to strength, but this has only been possible thanks to the support of our partners around the world,” said Institute Director Julie Lithgow. “These agreements reinforce the founding principle of the Institute, of making education and qualification as accessible as possible, while reflecting the need to support emerging maritime centres.”

The agreements cap a momentous year for The Institute in which it doubled its examination programme and won a BIMCO Award in recognition of its investment in new learning, increasing student numbers and innovative teaching techniques.