So who are the worlds best shipbroking firms? This is a subjective question and in my oinion depends on a number of different criteria. I have my own views but guess what? lloyds List (the great shipping newspaper) decided to have a crack at this thankless task earlier this year (2012). I agree with some on the list but I disagree with others........but then again they havent devulged criteria - so its meant to be fun anyway.
This would appear to me to be the perfect segway into 2013.....
Here is the what Lloyds had to say
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Brokers by the dozen
It’s a tough job but someone has got to do it – here are our top 12 shipbroking companies
PUT simply, shipbroking is not as easy it used to be. The newbuilding boom might have seen a huge surge in the number of ships on the water needing to be chartered and sold but it has also caused a dramatic plunge in freight rates and subsequently brokers’ commissions. We have expanded our list this year to create a broker’s dozen, which is not to be confused with a baker’s dozen.
1. Clarksons – Andi Case
Regarded across the industry as the biggest shipbroker, Clarksons and its chief executive Andi Case have retained their top spot on our list in 2012. Despite the departure of the brand’s most famous spokesman Martin Stopford in May, the broker’s dominance in the global market remains due to its head count, geographical spread and coverage across all sectors.
2. RS Platou – Peter Anker
There might not have been much movement on RS Platou’s previous plans to go public but the Peter Anker-led Norwegian broking and financial services group continues to strengthen its portfolio. Positioned well for the gas and offshore boom, the group has expanded into key growth markets and building its research and equity offering.
3. Braemar Shipping Services – James Kidwell
A change at the top for Braemar Shipping Services this year, with the London-listed group now headed up by chief executive James Kidwell – formally the financial director. Former head Alan Marsh has returned to the sale and purchase desk, while the broking business is now being run by Sebastian Davenport-Thomas.
4. ICAP Shipping – Henry Liddell
Seeing the most upward movement on our list this year is ICAP Shipping, the maritime division of the world’s largest interdealer broker, due to its expansion into emerging markets through acquisitions. In 2012, chief executive Henry Liddell has led two major purchases – Singapore-based tanker specialists Island Shipbrokers and CTI Shipbrokers in India and Dubai, which focus in dry bulk , tankers, sale and purchase and offshore. Today, global staff numbers total almost 230, including 73 acquired through the two deals.
5. SSY – John Welham
Low-profile Simpson Spence & Young continues to offer strong broking and research services, particularly in its specialist area of dry bulk. SSY has made a name for itself as the go-to source for port congestion information, with its capesize and panamax data much sought after.
6. Maersk Broker – Jørn Steen Nielsen
Sticking in the middle of our list this year is Copenhagen-headquartered Maersk Broker. Despite namesake Maersk Line opening up container business to rival brokers Clarksons and Howe Robinson last year, it still has gravitas in the box broking sector as well as dry bulk and tankers.
7. Poten & Partners - Michael Tusiani
Well-positioned for the North America oil and gas boom is New York-headquartered Poten & Partners, headed up by Michael Tusiani, which has moved up our list this year. The company has built up a reputation for top quality broking and research on the energy sectors, particularly with regard to tankers and gas carriers. The employee-owned company known for its leading presence in the asphalt market.
8. Gibson – Nigel Richardson
Managing director Nigel Richardson continues to head up the private broking arm of publicly-listed energy services provider Hunting. Strong on tankers, specialist cargoes and gas, Gibson is on speed-dial for many people in the shipping industry looking for energy expertise. Its strong research team, sale and purchase desk and dry bulk business compliment
9. BRS – Tim Jones
Barry Rogliano Salles chief executive Tim Jones looks after almost 200 employees across its headquarters in France as well as other offices around the world. Well-positioned, the Neuilly-based company works across the eight main areas of broking – newbuilding, offshore, sale and purchase, dry bulk, containerships, tankers, chemicals and gas.
10. ACM Shipping – Johnny Plumbe and James Gundy
Johnny Plumbe has recently passed on the chief executive baton to James Gundy, who has been with London-listed ACM for 18 years and has headed up its very large crude carrier desk. Plumbe has not left the building though, and is now executive chairman, ensuring that his 37 years of broking experience is still put to good use.
11. McQuilling Partners – John Schmidt
Just a look at the US-headquartered McQuilling group’s office locations hints at where the broking services group sees growth opportunities – its Singapore-based business has rapidly grown over the last two years and four of its nine global offices are located in Central or South America, including Caracas, Lima, Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro.
12. Howe Robinson – Daniel Lewis & Peter Kerr Dineen
Maintaining a low profile is dry bulk and container specialist Howe Robinson. Well known for their boxship expertise and also knowledge in the grains market, this global company has a great reputation.
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Article here http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/top100/brokers/
Yours
The Virtual Shipbroker
(VS and Andy Jamison are the pen names, and creation, of ex shipbroker Nick van der Hoeven)
