Types of Membership

Member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers – MICS

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 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 the Canadian Branch for vetting and endorsement before being sent to the Controlling Council for final approval.

Fellow of the Institute and an official Chartered Shipbroker – FICS

Fellows are Members, who are over 25 years of age with at least six years’ seniority 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 no less than 25 years of age
2. Shall be a Member
3. Shall be engaged in the commercial shipping industry for the six years immediately preceeding the date of application
4. Be a principal in a firm, a director of a company, or a person holding a position of responsibility within the commercial shipping industry.
5. 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.

Retired

This category is for Fellows or Members who have retired from active shipping business. They are entitled to all the benefits of membership except the right to vote or take part in the ‘affairs’ of ICS. Definition of a retired Fellow or Member is a person not gainfully employed in commercial shipping and who has been a FICS or MICS for 25 consecutive years.

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. 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.

Company Membership

Any company worldwide that meets the criteria may apply to be a Company Member of the Institute. Companies can become corporate members if they have at least one senior member of staff qualified to Fellow (FICS) or Member (MICS) status. They must be of good financial standing and have in place appropriate P&I liability insurance. They also have to be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Controlling Council that they are actively involved in the business or profession of shipbroking, liner or port agency, or management.