Study While You Work

A work-study programme can provide clarity in terms of career direction, as well as industry knowledge not found in textbooks. That is what Ms Chong Hui Xian has found with one such course by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers

- Ms Chong Hui Xian

“When I came across the Work-Study Programme in Shipowning, Operating and Broking, I immediately thought that it was definitely worth trying out for,” enthuses Ms Chong Hui Xian. Armed with a Diploma in Maritime Business from Singapore Polytechnic, she successfully applied to be on the programme and is currently working in Vantage Shipbrokers, to which she has been attached since August 2019. “This programme allows me to learn so much more about the industry while on the job. At the same time, I can gain more knowledge from experienced lecturers from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) while earning an industry-recognised qualification that is fully subsidised,” she explains.

CLAIMING HER ROLE

Vantage Shipbrokers, where Ms Chong works, acts as an intermediary between shipowners and ship charterers and handles broking for various market segments across spot voyage charters, contracts and time charters. “As the middleman, we need to have a good understanding of the clauses in the fixture (or contract) between owner and charterer,” she explains. Ms Chong is a Demurrage & Claims Executive, and her main functions include submitting shipowners’ claims to charterers, answering queries from shipowners and charterers, reminding shipowners to submit claims and charterers to send settlement details, drafting contracts for shipowners and charterers, and bridging communication between shipowners and charterers to settle disputes.