Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers signs MoU with Indian Maritime University

Monday, 25 April 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, the maritime industry’s only body dedicated to professional education, has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Maritime University.

The MoU was signed by the institute’s Sean Walsh and the IMU’s Vice Chancellor K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty during the Indian Maritime Summit, which was opened and attended by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi.

The summit is the inaugural flagship initiative of the Ministry of Shipping of the Government of India and aims to provide a platform for companies, institutions and education to explore the potential business and growth opportunities in India’s maritime sector.

Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Director Julie Lithgow said: “The institute is delighted to sign this MoU with a first class partner in education in a country that is committed to expanding its maritime education and skills base. The market for potential maritime educational growth in India is enormous with over 150 maritime sector projects currently committed to be developed by the Indian government. This co-operation among educational leaders will make significant and powerful impact on young people in India wanting to build their careers in the shipping sector.”

The IMU is the only central university of its kind in India dealing with exclusively maritime disciplines. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 2008 to act as a leader in the development of training and human resourcesin the Indian maritime sector.

Indian Maritime University Vice Chancellor K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty said: “The Indian Maritime University is pleased to sign this MoU with the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, whose professional qualifications cover the full spectrum of shipping commercial activity and whose members and fellows occupy executive positions in the maritime industry with very high professional standards. The MoU will promote academic and educational co-operation and mutual understanding between the two educational leaders on a basis of equality and reciprocity.”

The institute has continued to expand its international links and resource base to meet growing demand for its examination programme. Earlier this year, the Institute signed agreements that will see its London-based exams hosted by the UK Chamber of Shipping and has also been recognised as strategic partner by China’s Ministry of Transport and the Shanghai International Shipping Centre.

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) 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.