ICS (sL) qualification:

A pathbreaker for shipbrokers
 

BY HIRAN H. Senewiratne

THE Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers-London (ICS) is the most sought after professional qualification in shipping which has a high employability all over the world, Chairman of the ICS- Sri Lanka branch Maxwell de Silva said.

This qualification is more geared to the practical aspects of the shipping industry. It has two stages and the students with A/L qualifications could complete the programme within the minimum of two-years or a maximum of five years to become a fully-fledged chartered ship broker.

De Silva said that at present ICS- Sri Lanka has 100 members and more than 160 student members are currently studying in the Institute.

The qualification has two levels namely qualifying examination and foundation qualification which could be completed for less than Rs. 100,000. He said that it has a big demand from Middle East and other Asian countries in the world and therefore it has a high employability in the world.

He said that it was around the early eighties that the then management of CSC made it a compulsory for its staff (clerical and middle-management level) to complete the examination conducted by the ICS- London, to obtain a promotion within the organisation.

De Silva also said that in order to facilitate this process and also assist those who aspired to sit for the ICS examinations, the management of CSC provided a well-equipped library including the study material required for these examinations.

Upto then, having followed a traditionally set process of shipping practice that existed in the local maritime industry which had evolved over the decades; this move by the management of CSC was to revolutionise the trend, come future.

It subsequently turned out to be, provide insight into intricacies of the very existence, sustenance and operations of the international maritime industry; to those who successfully completed the ICS examinations and became qualified 'Chartered Shipbrokers'.

With the completion of every stage on the way to becoming a 'Chartered Shipbroker', the individual gains knowledge and a broader outlook into things together with growing self-confidence and the ability to take good and timely decisions, characteristics essential for a professional and a good manager.

With insignificant beginnings with a membership of seven, the pioneer members of the Branch took the message to the local maritime industry on the advantages accrued through professional shipping education.

The pioneer membership was aware of the struggle and their firm resolve helped them to successfully face the storms on the way.

The ICS-SL was gradually progressing in its path drawing up programmes which included conducting lectures to assist students to appear for the London examinations, arranging seminars for executives in the local industry.

Interest grew especially among the younger generation and the membership, which was originally confined to the CSC, began to spread to other organisations connected to the shipping industry.

The strength of the Branch was expanding and they opted to conduct international seminars as well. Slowly but firmly, recognition to the Branch in the local industry was growing, he said.

Meanwhile, the global trend in the international maritime industry was advancing with technological innovations; a growing demand for professionals was felt. This development encouraged the branch to promote efforts to produce professionals through shipping education.

Interest was generated in the industry to follow their programmes, which was a positive development as far as the local Branch was concerned. The classes are conducted at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

In 1995 the then Minister of Shipping invited the Branch to participate as a member of his Task Force appointed to formulate a National Shipping Policy for Sri Lanka.

This move gave a boost to the image of the Branch locally.

The programmes such as the annual selection/recognition of the Best Shipping Agent - Customer Service for the Europe and USA/Canada Trades and presenting them with awards, gained wide publicity in the industry.

With time, winning this Award was considered a prestigious achievement by shipping agents, while the winners got maximum mileage in promoting their agency businesses.

Today, the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers - Sri Lanka Branch is recognised in the local shipping arena as a recognised by body by in the industry offering a profesional qualifications.

Their 'Fellows/Members' of the Branch are providing service at senior and middle management levels in a number of leading organisations in the maritime industry both here and overseas.

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers- Sri Lanka Branch (ICS-SL) came into being in 1987 at the Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC).

The CSC was instrumental in the formation of ICS-SL and its initial stages of growth.