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:

1.  Have a bona fide connection to the commercial shipping industry at the time of application.  This includes brokers, agents, principals, owners, lawyers, seafarers, insurers and cover a wide range and scope of activity.

2.  Have passed the Institute's Professional Qualifying Examinations, or have submitted a dissertation that satisfies the criteria and is approved by the Institute's Education and Training Committee.

3.  Be no less than 21 years old

4.  Have satisfied the Controlling Council that he or she is a fit and proper person to become a Member

Once eligible, applicants may apply by completing and signing the application for membership form in full to either the branch or directly to the head office.

Your application then needs to be endorsed by your local branch and the ICS Vetting Committee before being sent to the Controlling Council for final approval.

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers operate a tiered membership subscription structure. To obtain the fee structure applicable to your country or region, please contact your local Branch or, alternatively, email our Professional Membership Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fellow of the Institute and an official Chartered Shipbroker

Fellows are Members holding positions of senior responsibility 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 a fully paid up Member.

2.  Be a principal in a firm, a director of a company, or a person holding a position of senior responsibility within the commercial shipping industry at the time of application.

3.  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.  The current list includes:

Harry Lorkin

John Barclay

Richard Sayer

Dr Shri S Hajara

Dr Helmut Sohmen

Frank Tsao

Lord Sterling

Des Jennings

John H Parker

George F Doughtie

John A Hadjipateras

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.