ICS Canada co-sponsors student table at Grunt Club Annual Dinner in Montreal

ICS Canada Branch co-sponsored a student table with the Shipping Federation of Canada at the Grunt Club Annual Dinner in Montreal held on December 6th 2019 at the Hotel Bonaventure in Montreal. The Shipfed runs a basic Certificate in Marine Transportation program for those starting out in shipping while ICS offers more advanced qualifications for those who have more industry experience. This was the 85th year of the Grunt Club Dinner which is the biggest event of the Montreal marine community social calendar and attracts almost 1,000 guests & visitors including major shipping operators, ship brokers, ship agents, port authorities, stevedores, maritime lawyers, marine insurers and ship suppliers.

Joining us at the ICS-Shipfed student table were ICS student Sherif El Zanfaly, Shipping Federation of Canada students Karim Gabra, Andrew Cutforth & Mustafa Altun and McGill law student Nigah Awj. We were also honoured to have shipbroker, industry veteran and ICS member Hans Stoger with us to share his experience in the industry.  The table was hosted by Julian Hung, ICS East Coast Canada Representative in Montreal and Head Instructor in the Shipfed’s Certificate in Marine Transportation program. A number of other ICS & Shipping Federation of Canada alumni who were also at the dinner but sitting at their companies’ tables also stopped by to say hello. All the students enjoyed the experience of the Presidents Reception, the Corporate Suites and of course the Dinner itself and came away with a better appreciation of the great history & tradition of the marine industry in Montreal as well as its current strength and bright future!