Who is?

Hi. I am a shipping company director, transport academic, author, family man and all round nice guy. I have worked as shipbroker, shipowner, freight trader and bulk charterer, in senior positions, with some of the largest and most disrespected (joke) companies in the world. Ask my advice on all things shipping and you will receive my blunt and always honest answer. Hang around to learn more about chartering and ship broker salaries, chartering and ship broker jobs, chartering and shipbroker recruitment agencies, cheap freight, maritime education, chartering and ship broker qualifications, become a ship broker, tips on how to be a successful bulk shipping executive, philosophy, Zen and the art of shipbroking, and much more. Yours The Virtual Shipbroker (NvdH) (recently proclaimed the guru of shipbroking) Copyright © 2020 by Virtualshipbroker Contact virtualshipbroker@yahoo.com

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Great question from a reader - who has an answer?

qte
 
Hi VS,
Read your blog on the regular, and have a question I've been wanting your opinion on.
Why are smaller ships (e.g. Handysize) more resistant to both upside and downside risk than their larger cousins?
A simple viewing of charter rates of dry bulk vessels shows capesize are extremely variable where as the smaller you get the steadier the graph.
Would love your opinion.
Thanks in advance.
Felix
 
unqte
 
Ok - Ill leave this one open to readers. Anyone willing to agree and offer an opinion why this is the case?
 
Cheers
The Virtual Shipbroker
 
 

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Study with the Virtual Shipbroker

Have to say that I have had amazing response to the upcoming course.

Reminds me how global the industry is! Also testament to the course are the applicants from some of the worlds largest shipbroking and chartering firms. It seems this humble little "hands on" course is gaining growing acceptance from shipping more established players.

Personally I am not surprised. In a stagnant / slightly depressed market, any personal edge is worthwhile.

For those who have sent me emails with expressions of interest I have replied to most of you and will be sending out official offers to enrol in the coming weeks.

For those of you still considering if you want to enrol there is still time but you will need to send me an email pretty soon. Need to know who you are and why you would like to be a part of the study program.

As an aside its great to see that the market has jumped a little lately. Onwards and Upwards!

Yours
VS

Sunday, August 7, 2011

VS Dry Cargo Certificate - New intake coming soon

(Costs added below)

I have had alot of interest recently enquiring about the next intake for the above mentioned course.

Below is typical of the emails I receive

This one from a trainee with a shipping company in Continental Europe

qte

Unfortunately, this is not what i have imagined, they are so busy so they can not spare time to teach me and again, mostly, i have to learn everything by my self... and not everyone teach me honestly. I know that there is people that they do not like young men, they try to teach us slightly and wrongly so we can never be like them.

unqte

I hear ya! This was my experience as a young person aswell. And those that do have a formal trainee program IMO take too long to get to the NUTS and BOLTS.

I maintain that a new entrant with proper intensive training should be able to start fixing ships within 3 months. Its a no brainer!

++

Anyway - the course has been highly successful with over 20 graduates since its inception 2 years ago.

Check the study tab above for full details of what to expect

++

Whats the scoop?

Next Intake - I will be calling for applications sometime in the next 3-6 weeks (keep an eye out), for a start shortly after.

Cost - No change since last intake: USD 975.00 (USD 925.00 if you have already purchased the books)

Feel free to email intial interest anytime you want. Will help me get a grasp on numbers.

Keep Rocking

The Virtual Shipbroker