The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers German Branch e.V. was founded in February 1996 in Hamburg as a branch of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), London.
The aim of the German branch is to promote the standards of the Institute which are a world standard level of apprenticeship as well as the motto “Our word – our bond”.
The German Branch e.V. is also acting as a direct representative of all German ICS Members and Fellows towards the Head Office in London.
The interest in an internationally recognised shipping apprenticeship and the opportunity to use the worldwide network of experts (currently there are about 4.000 members registered in one of the 26 ICS branches in 19 countries) who meet the ICS quality standard, has lead to our branch growing from 11 founding members to currently over 140, mainly young, members.
In order to become a member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), exams in 7 shipping subjects have to be passed. There are four obligatory subjects, the rest may be chosen from the remaining catalogue of exam options. Students who can provide an IHK certificate on their completed apprenticeship as Schiffahrtskauffrau/-mann can apply for two exemptions (for the subjects Introduction to Shipping and Marine Insurance) with the ICS. More information on this can be found on this website under Student Information.
The preparation for the exams offers an excellent opportunity to extend or deepen your shipping knowledge, depending on which branch you work in or what kind of experience you have gained so far. The preparation courses/exams are also designed for people who have not undergone classic shipping training. The preparation courses as well as the exams are held in English.
Further information on the subjects, exams and qualifications offered for both new and returning students is available
Hauke Pane, FICS, has been involved in shipping for more than 30 years. Following an apprenticeship as a Ship Mechanic, Nautical College and some time at sea, he went ashore in 1989. He worked as a Qualified Shipping Agent (Schifffahrtskaufmann) in the position as Chartering Manager for the renowned shipping group “Hamburg-Sued” until 1998 spending time in Hamburg and London.
Jan Bartels, MICS MSc, comes from a family with a long tradition in ship owning and shipbroking. After completing his apprenticeship at the German Shipping Group H. Schuldt, he spent five years in London and Miami working for various shipbroking houses.
Sabine Etheridge is a trained language secretary and worked for many years in various Hamburg shipping companies, first as a secretary and later on as a shipping clerk in the liner agencies of several container services. Since 2005 she has been taking care of the ICS German Branch as its secretary.
Marc Buchholz, FICS, started his career in shipping more than 20 years ago with the shipping group KG Fisser & v. Doornum GmbH & Co. in Hamburg. After completion of his shipping apprenticeship he started working in the ship operations department with Fisser & v. Doornum and later became Assistant to the Managing Partners.
If you are a member of the ICS German Branch you can register here to get access to e.g. the German Branch membership list.
Additional news offered worldwide by the ICS Head Office or other Branches can be found
