For all the changes buffeting the industry, Ms. Low believes that shipbroking at its heart remains an “old-school” job. She explains, “The foundation of shipbroking work depends on the relationships a broker builds diligently over a long period of time.”

Therefore, even as times change, Ms. Low notes that the core methods of shipbroking are evergreen.  She shares, “With the advancement of technology, many modern shipbrokers think that they could try to be ‘Internet’ shipbrokers, and they set up websites to contact parties. But somehow that always fails.” In other words, strong people skills are a must for aspiring shipbrokers.

“This business is all about relationships,” she says. Shipbroking entails managing negotiations and balancing the desires of multiple stakeholders. For every deal taken on, Ms. Low believes it is essential for shipbrokers to exhibit “fairness and an ability to translate ‘angry’ words into convincing words.”

She elaborates further: “As an intermediary, I need to always remember that I am the middleman whose job is to ensure the best outcome for both parties.” Being a convincing mediator, Ms. Low feels, is one of the hardest parts of being a shipbroker. This is especially the case when she must ease tensions between heated parties during negotiations. It is the shipbroker’s job to put out the fire by formulating a plan that addresses the interests of everyone.

To be an outstanding shipbroker, however, one must also possess sound values. Ms. Low cites inquisitiveness, ethics, trustworthiness, and perseverance as key values that every good shipbroker should embody. The ideal broker should be inquisitive about the latest ship-related updates and keep abreast of world news. A broker with strong ethics will also naturally inspire the trust of their clients. When clients trust that a shipbroker is looking out for their interests, they will return to them for services.