Types of Membership

Member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers

Membership of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers means much more than the initials after your name. As the largest network of professional shipbrokers, managers and agents, ICS membership is internationally recognised as a mark of professionalism in the shipping industry.

This is our largest Membership category, with the vast majority of Members achieving their status through examination.

To be eligible for Membership, you must comply with the following conditions:

Statutory definition, from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers' Bye-Laws, approved by the Privy Council 2 November 2007

(a) He shall be engaged either as a principal, director, or employee in a Shipbroking Company or in a business having a bona fide connection with Shipbroking at the time of his application for election. Employment afloat in the merchant marine shall be considered as business having a bona fide connection with Shipbroking.

(b) He shall, unless granted a dispensation there from under these Bye-Laws, have passed the Examination or have submitted to the satisfaction of the Education and Training Committee a dissertation in lieu thereof, and

(c) In addition he shall produce such evidence or submit to such additional oral or written examination, as the Education & Training Committee shall require to determine or test his practical ability in accordance with the Royal Charter Paragraph 2 (1).

(d) He shall have satisfied the Controlling Council that he is a fit and proper person to become a Member

Fellow of the Institute and an official Chartered Shipbroker

Fellows are Members, who are over 25 years of age with at least six years' seniority in the commercial shipping industry.

Fellows are entitled to call themselves 'Chartered Shipbrokers'

In addition to the benefits afforded all Members, Fellows are able to serve on the Controlling Council and be elected to Vice Chairman and Chairman of the ICS.

Members who wish to apply for Fellowship need to comply with the following conditions:

1.  Shall be no less than 25 years of age

2.  Shall be a Member

3.  Shall be engaged in the commercial shipping industry for the six years immediately preceeding the date of application

4.  Be a principal in a firm, a director of a company, or a person holding a position of responsibility within the commercial shipping industry.

5.  Shall have satisfied the Controlling Council that he or she is a fit and proper person to become a Fellow

Those who meet the above conditions may apply for promotion to Fellowship of the Institute using the application form to the right.

Retired Member

Members & Fellows who retire from business either permanently or temporarily and no longer gainfully employed in shipbroking may if they wish become Retired Fellows or Retired Members respectively.

If you would like to apply for Retired Member status, please complete the form on the right.

Life Member

To qualify for life membership, a retired Fellow or Member must be recommended by their Branch. The application in writing needs to be submitted to the Head Office by 1 September annually so that it can be considered for approval by Controlling Council.

Life membership should be considered for those retired Fellows or Members who over a protracted period have made a significant contribution to ICS, for example, having been the Chairman of the Institute, Branch or specialist committee member, Tutor, Examiner and so on.

A Life member is entitled to all the benefits of membership except the right to vote or take part in the 'affairs' of ICS.

Honorary Fellowship

This category is open to those who have made a significant contribution to commercial shipping and have been nominated by at least three Fellows. It is the highest honour bestowed by the Institute. 

To be eligible for Honorary Fellowship, candidates have to be nominated by at least three members of the Controlling Council and the approval is granted by a simple majority.