Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Exams

My resume currently screams 'Buyside Equity Analyst' but that's not really where I would like to be at. I've wanted to get into physical commodities for a while, but unfortunately hadn't really looked into the field before going to grad school (I may have gone to Cass or HEC Geneva in retrospect). I emphasise my recommendations on commodity equities on my resume but unfortunately that can only get me so far in convincing people I would be good at logistics/operations jobs.

Would getting a Foundation Diploma from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers be any help? It takes taking two exams, although unfortunately the next sitting isn't until the spring or thereabouts. Anyone here take them? Would studying from textbooks for two exams be doable as opposed to getting a full-on tutor which seems to be their preferred (but obviously expensive) way of doing? I'll obviously keep looking for jobs on the side but this seems like a good thing to get started on.

 
Best Response

This is rather funny as I had the same idea before getting my como gig... I read all the books, prepared for the exams and got an offer to start the week when the ICS exams where due to take place. Never sat for them in the end and I regret it a bit haha

I spoke to some people that passed the ICS exam and they mainly told me that it is definitely a "plus" for any physical como applicant. In hindsight, having an ICS certificate will definitely put you ahead of other candidates as you will know the in and outs of shipping vessels, where maintenance fees and port fees come from (for example: crude oil washing for oil tankers out of the top of my head), the structure of bill of lading, the ramifications of a lot of maritime legislations (the IMO, MARPOL etc...) and a LOT of other stuff. I found it so interesting I read it a bit like a novel. (maybe I am just a bit weird ?)

I chose the basic chartering module and the oil tanker chartering module. Both books are around 150 pages each if I remember well and the content is rather qualitative. The content is definitely not rocket science so I doubt you will need a tutor given your already strong knowledge in comos... I would recommend to wait for the books to be mailed to you, flip through them and then take the decision to spend money on a tutor.

Best of luck

 

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