Anyone heard of being a ship broker?

I applied through a newspaper ad. Maybe I was lucky, as usually these positions are seldom advertised.

You can try subscribing to Tradewinds also, as quite a fair number of shipping related jobs get posted there.

My early 30's friend in a shipbroking company in Singapore, he is earning $8-9k/month... just got a bonus that was in low $100k.
Been working there 6 years.
10 years ago, he always eat at food court and never ordered any drinks to save money... I even lent him $5000 when he was in financial trouble.

Now, he has moved out of his parent's HDB after he bought a condo 2 years back in bedok reservoir area, he just bought a BMW (was driving Toyota yaris) early this year and after getting his bonus he just bought an AP royal oak offshore.

Damnit. How do I get into shipbroking?? I am only getting $6k/month at my marketing company and only 13th month bonus... I am 31. is it too late for me to join?

I have 9 years of marketing experience but I know nothing about shipping...

Originally Posted by Unregistered

My early 30's friend in a shipbroking company in Singapore, he is earning $8-9k/month... just got a bonus that was in low $100k.
Been working there 6 years.
10 years ago, he always eat at food court and never ordered any drinks to save money... I even lent him $5000 when he was in financial trouble.

Now, he has moved out of his parent's HDB after he bought a condo 2 years back in bedok reservoir area, he just bought a BMW (was driving Toyota yaris) early this year and after getting his bonus he just bought an AP royal oak offshore.

Damnit. How do I get into shipbroking?? I am only getting $6k/month at my marketing company and only 13th month bonus... I am 31. is it too late for me to join?

I have 9 years of marketing experience but I know nothing about shipping...

Your friend is only an average broker. Industry is full of new blood that heard shipping pays well but don't know head or tail to do a proper job.

I am only 6 years experience as a broker but my senior who has been doing this for 11 years is making upwards of $20k/month and with $200k bonuses.

Lots of clueless clowns in the shipping industry attracted to the industry. The industry is honey that attracts bees but mainly you will get flies. I am also one of those flies but at least I work hard.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

is it possible to stay 'pure' in this type of brokerage business? Personally I don't want to betray my gf/wife.

Yes it is possible, that is however if u find the correct brokering house, one such example is SPI Marine, where they have a number of female employees and the company is well known in the industry for no nonsense business as they do not bribe, provide prostitutes or any other dirty stuff, i would suggest you look for a company like the above mentioned if you would like to stay 'pure'

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Yes it is possible, that is however if u find the correct brokering house, one such example is SPI Marine, where they have a number of female employees and the company is well known in the industry for no nonsense business as they do not bribe, provide prostitutes or any other dirty stuff, i would suggest you look for a company like the above mentioned if you would like to stay 'pure'

Oh please. Don't be naïve. How else did they manage to share 50/50 of the USD 600,000 brokerage commission for managing the Shell contract when they didn't do a damn thing except take the contract administrator out for $3000 KTV sessions every night he was in Singapore??

I was just offered a position as a trainee shipbroker, SGD 3500/month + 13th month + discretionary bonus for 1st year until I start being a productive member of the team.

This is my 2nd job, is it good enough? I am 26 and quit from SQ as my parents do not want me flying so much with all the accidents happening in the air nowadays.

Do ladies have a future in this industry?

I need to let them know by 16 Jan if I can join them.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I was just offered a position as a trainee shipbroker, SGD 3500/month + 13th month + discretionary bonus for 1st year until I start being a productive member of the team.

This is my 2nd job, is it good enough? I am 26 and quit from SQ as my parents do not want me flying so much with all the accidents happening in the air nowadays.

Do ladies have a future in this industry?

I need to let them know by 16 Jan if I can join them.

i would take the offer if i'm in your shoes. don't expect to be earning big bucks from day one since you are fresh to the industry and there is quite a lot to pick up. it's a sales job but you do need to pick up technical knowledge... and entertainment is a must. it's a known fact that the decision makers in the marine industry (especially mariners) are mostly male and cheeky and you probably got the job cos you are easy on the eyes and are confident. don't worry, just project a professional image and you will be fine.

low oil prices affect charter rates and owner's S&P decisions so do note that you are not joining at the boom time.

all the best!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Am a ex seafarer (Master Mariner), have been offered 4.5k/mth at a dry bulk
brokering/chartering firm.a small set-up. but surely an invaluable break.
Have been working with an offshore company in the safety dept.
Would be of great assistance any experienced brokers could shed some insight on brokering as
a career.
Especially what to expect as commissions for a starter like me, as 4.5 is
lower than what I get know and am banking on the future growth.

Damn I hope not an American master mariner. My last captain was making $30,000+ per month sailing just over half the year. To leave that behind for $4,500 a month is just moronic.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Damn I hope not an American master mariner. My last captain was making $30,000+ per month sailing just over half the year. To leave that behind for $4,500 a month is just moronic.

Easy for you to say. Sometimes the reasons why mariners want to be on land is more than just monetary.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I was just offered a position as a trainee shipbroker, SGD 3500/month + 13th month + discretionary bonus for 1st year until I start being a productive member of the team.

This is my 2nd job, is it good enough? I am 26 and quit from SQ as my parents do not want me flying so much with all the accidents happening in the air nowadays.

Do ladies have a future in this industry?

I need to let them know by 16 Jan if I can join them.

wah now trainee broker starting so high huh.... when i first started only 3k + discretionary bonus.

Anyway, if you work hard and with some luck, possible to double that within 2-3 yrs =D