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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Lets talk about ships baby!

Let's talk about ships, baby
Let's talk about you and me
Let's talk about all the good things
And the bad things that may be
Let's talk about ships
Let's talk about ships
Let's talk about ships
Let's talk about ships!

(The Original version of Salt n Peppers classic hip hop tune. Interestingly the music company didnt think shipping songs were contemporary enough and changed the word 'ship' for 'sex'.

(I prefer the original version and have it on vinyl)

Anyway - I will start some threads on the different types of bulk carriers out there. The sizes - the markets - the players.

Keep watching!
VS

10 comments:

  1. Hi VS,

    I have been reading your blog for a short while but find it immensely interesting.

    I worked as a shipbroker for a while (I am 43 years of age) and then I started a twelve year carreer as an air charter broker. My training as a shipbroker in 1995(Cambridge Academy of Transport) came in very usefull and allowed me to be successful in charter broking in the airline industrie. I sold the business in 2005 and went oversead working as a consultant for a number of logistics companies. However with the economic downturn I moved back to Europe.

    After a couple of months of re-orienting I recently started a Port Agency which is about to handle its first vessel. As said the company is purely focused on ships agency work.However the whole thing started me thinking to start a small shipbrokerage again. I was good at shipbroking and I have a personal interest as I started my carreer as a merchant navy officer. When I was ship broking I mainly fixed shortsea coasters and every now and then small handy sized vessels.

    What, in your opinion, would be the best way to refresh and update my skills in shipbroking?
    What advise would you give me as aspiring new ship broker?

    Looking forward to hear from you and keep up the good work with your blog!

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Jean Paul

    This blog is for people like you. I am glad you like it.

    The honest answer to your questions is this. Buy my books! With your background that is all you need to sharpen up your skills and get you back on the horse. Its cheap, fast and effective.

    If after you still feel like more training the ICS exams are always a great way to learn more.

    Good luck and welcome back to shipping!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi VS thanks for your prompt straight forward answer (wouldn't expect anything else from a shipbroker :-) I will definitely buy your books and hopefully they give me some guidance along the road.

    Cheers
    "if aint broke(ed), dont fix it " :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. JP, can I ask you where exactly do you offer your agency services? Thanks a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jebus, sure you can. I just opened an office in Ostend, Belgium from where we also serve the ports of Zeebrugge, Ghent, Antwerp and Flushing. The website will be online in a couple of days. If there's anything i can do send me a private message. Cheers JP

    ReplyDelete
  6. you can send me a message and i will send privately to the other (if you dont want public to see)

    Cheers
    VS
    (bringing the shipping world together!)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi, VS!
    "Bringing the shipping world together"
    This is entirely true, once we can see people from so many countries sharing the same feeling about this subject.
    Congratulations again for this great blog... after reading "Starting a Shipbroking Company" I can't help myself thinking about how interesting is such a job/work/adventure. It's not an easy path to take, I know, but I'm gonna find a way to start it...
    Thanks for your tips!
    Brgds,
    Luis

    ReplyDelete
  8. > JP
    The previous company I was working in, has a liner from Belgium/Holland to the East-med. We were using Ahlers as agents all around Belgium.
    But now I will still be interested as presently I'm working for a reputed french shipowner. We usually have project cargo from France to Spain, Italy, N Africa and sometimes Belgium and Uk.

    I'll send you a message these days to brief you in.

    Ciao

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jebus, I would be more than happy to assist with any support you might require in Belgium.
    Mail me at jpdezutter@gmail.com

    cheers JP

    ReplyDelete