Successful students: (L–R) Tom Morton, Capital Shipbrokers, Jim Davis and Jonathan Le Feuvre from Clarksons

When London Metropolitan University cancelled the Institute of Shipbrokers evening classes in September 2002, a sense of sadness prevailed, the end of an era of over 50 years of teaching ICS courses in London was maybe coming to an end. So when Jeffrey Blum, Rita Barnish and Capt.

Kenneth Long, all Fellows of the Institute decided to set up a new company — Maritime Education & Training Limited (METL) to run the classes themselves, students were delighted and relieved, especially those who were in their last year of qualifying for membership. When this year’s ICS results were announced on 1 August 2003, the London-based students who had attended METL’s evening classes threw a party to celebrate their successes.

Students like Tom Morton, who recently left Stelmar Tankers (UK) to join Capital Shipbrokers in order to start up a fuel oil desk, was able to not only complete his final year of studying, but to also obtain a Distinction in Ship Operations and Management.

Says Mr Morton: “Without the METL classes my only alternative would have been the Tutorship Distance Learning courses which do not have the face-to-face aspect between lecturer and student. This is extremely important for me especially when I am trying to get a handle on some of the more difficult elements of the subjects. “METL also has a social side to it — The Maritime Club — which allows you to build up all important friends and contacts within the industry, in an informal setting,” he adds.

Jonathan Le Feuvre, a Sale & Purchase broker from Clarksons comments: “When LMU announced that it was dropping the ICS courses my first thoughts were of the lack of value ‘the City’ puts on its maritime industry and education. As someone who had moved country especially to do these ICS examinations in London and now in my final year, I was very grateful when METL announced that it would be picking up the gauntlet to train London’s young shipping professionals. Without their (METL) help I am sure I would have been taking these exams again next year.” Mr Morton and Mr Le Feuvre, like many others, having completed their examinations, are encouraged to go forward for election to become members of ICS.

A special mention must be made to METL student, Jim Davis, a broker from Clarksons who not only obtained a Distinction in Ship Sale and Purchase and in Economics of Sea Transport and International Trade, but also was awarded the Peter Talbot Willcox Memorial Award for gaining the highest marks in Ship Sale and Purchase. He will be presented with his award at this year’s ICS Prizegiving Luncheon.

With a successful first year behind them, METL is now looking forward to the new term starting on 22 September 2003. A new website: www.metl.info has been launched which gives students all the information they need on the courses available and on how to enrol. METL’s website also allows the students to connect directly into the website of the Institute: www.ics.org.uk.

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