The TNTA and TETA are train-and-place programmes with intention to hire Singaporeans to join the Maritime Industry. Through these programmes, individuals will receive training to become a CoC (Class 3) Deck Officer or CoC (Class 5) Marine Engineer.
The programmes are funded and supported by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU), Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and shipping companies.
Job Opportunity Briefings (JOB) @ Wavelink Maritime Institute80 Jurong East St 21, #06-04,
Devan Nair Institute, Singapore 609607
Click link for more details
Ship Broker
What’s it like working as a Ship Broker? Ship broking is an exciting and potentially financially rewarding career, with options to work at ship broking companies around the world. Acting as an intermediary, a Ship Broker negotiates and attempts to seal a deal between shipowners and charterers or the buyers and sellers of ships in return for a commission payment. The dynamic nature of the business means that Ship Brokers must be in touch with the market, so that they are well positioned to close a contract between two parties when the opportunity arises. Working hours can be demanding with Ship Brokers expected to be alert to the different trading zones of Asia, Europe and the Americas. They may also have to commit to on-call periods out of office hours to ensure the 24/7 coverage needed in this fast-moving and competitive industry.
Working as a Ship Broker means that you will be involved in a financial service as part of the global shipping industry. The main purpose of a Ship Broker is to act as specialist intermediaries/negotiators between ship owners and charters to arrange ocean transport of goods and commodities by sea, the employment of a vessel or to buy/sell ships on behalf of his client.
A career in Ship Brokerage is very interesting and highly competitive. This job demands someone who is focused and able to closely monitor the market as increasingly, Ship Brokers are also providing their clients with market intelligence and advice.
What does a Ship Broker Job description include?
- As a Ship Broker, you may cover many disciplines, such as sale and purchase, dry cargo brokering, tanker brokering or container brokering. However, it is more commonplace for Ship Brokers to specialise in one particular area.
- Typical responsibilities of a Ship Broker would involve marketing of tonnage (ships) to customers/shippers/charterers. Negotiate spot/time charters to achieve maximum income for the owners.
- You would maintain records or tonnage within the company’s database.
- A Ship Broker is involved in many stages of setting up and negotiating deals, including presenting the business to potential clients, negotiating the main terms of a contract or sale and seeing it through to its conclusion and any follow up that may be involved.
- Like any role that involves buying and selling, a good Ship Broker would build up a database of contacts and keep a close eye on the shipping market, interpreting trends and seeing opportunities for clients.
Key skills and qualifications of Ship Broker
- The ideal candidate would hold a commercial degree or similar commercial qualification.
- Client management/relationship building skills.
- Experience with clean/dirty/products/oil.
- Previous experience in this role may not be required depending upon previous work experience.
- Having an entrepreneurial nature would be highly desirable along with a strong personal drive to succeed.
- Ability to negotiate is vital as this is a principle skill requirement in Ship Brokering.
- Good understanding of accounting and numeracy skills are essential to this job.
- Excellent presentation skills will be required.
- A Ship Broker must be able to communicate well both verbally as well as in a written format.
- Ability to use Microsoft office, ie Word, Excel.
BOARDING OFFICER / SHIP AGENTS
Nature of the Work
When a ship calls at a port, there is a list of duties that need to be done. As a Ship Agent, you act as an onsite operations person with knowledge of the workings of a particular port where ship owners may not have an office or personnel. You basically help to coordinate anything a ship needs while in port.
You may be required to:
- Give notification of arrival and departure of ships
- Arrange for repairs, berths, tugs, harbour pilots and launches
- Order stevedores, cranes and equipments
- Provide customs, immigration and port health formalities brokerage
- Collect and issue bills of lading
- May need to act as the sales & marketing person for the principal
Typical employers are multinational ship agencies. However, agents can also choose to work as a sole trader.
Working Conditions
As ships move in and out of ports 24 hours a day, you may be required to work irregular hours. With tight schedules and unanticipated incidents, work can be stressful but challenging. The work is also be exciting and dynamic as it offers exposure to all parts of the maritime industry.
Qualifications, Training and Advancement
• Diploma (any discipline)
Typical career progression for good performers can be:
Ship Agent -> Ship Agency Manager
Personal Characteristics and Core Competencies
- Flexible, with the ability to think on the spot
- Good negotiation and communications skills
- Good interpersonal skills; able to build relationships with people of all levels
- Ability to work under intense pressure
Earnings
Entry level Boarding Officer and Ship Agent can expect to earn $1,700 to $2,500 per month.
