From left Chang Chung Wang, Senior Newbuilding Broker BRS Shanghai, Gilbert Walter CEO, Athina Georgakopoulou Senior S&P and Newbuilding Broker BRS Athens, Manuel Flaix Senior Newbuilding and Project Broker BRS Paris, Nicos Ritsos, Senior S&P, and Newbuilding Broker BRS Paris.
BRS Ship Brokers, one of Europe’s premier brokerage firms, boasts a long-standing reputation. With 23 offices worldwide, including in France, Greece, and Singapore, and a workforce exceeding 430 employees, BRS maintains a global presence. Notably, BRS actively engages in philanthropic endeavors, providing pro bono support for the construction of the hospital ship “Mercy Ships” operated by an American charity. During the International Maritime Exhibition “Sea Japan 2024,” I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Gilbert Walter, CEO of BRS, who visited Japan in conjunction with the event. We discussed BRS’s future business strategies. (Text by Hirofumi Yamamoto)
■Investing in Digitalization
JMD: I would like to hear an overview of the BRS Group.
Gilbert Walter： “BRS is a privately-owned company established in 1856, operating as a partnership owned by ship brokers. With 23 offices in key maritime trading hubs worldwide, BRS employs a total of 656 people within the BRS Group and 430 within BRS Ship Brokers.”
JMD: BRS Group boasts a long history and tradition. However, with recent advancements such as smartphones enabling access to various information, has there been a change in the role of BRS brokers?
Gilbert Walter： “Indeed, there have been changes. Information flows have become incredibly fast, and major charterers and owners are equipped with information processing tools. However, this does not hinder the role of ship brokers. Instead, it elevates the quality of service provided by ship brokers. Traditional tasks such as voyage calculations, charter party negotiations, and mastering software and analytical skills have become essential.”
“Expectations towards brokers are rising, and mediocre brokers are likely to decline. BRS has been actively investing in the new generation for decades. We have developed highly advanced software tools internally, such as AXS Marine and AlphaLiner.”
“At the same time, we place utmost importance on personal relationships with our clients. We continue to prioritize personal relationships and trust between ship brokers and their customers by regularly traveling worldwide to meet them.”
JMD: This time, BRS partnered with a shipyard in China and set up a booth at Sea Japan. Could you tell us about the background of forming a partnership with a shipyard in China?
Gilbert Walter：”BRS has been actively involved in new shipbuilding transactions in China since 1995. We have a track record of contracting over 500 new vessels in China to date. With offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, we employ a total of 50 staff members. NANTONG XIANGYU is a highly reputable shipyard, and recently BRS signed a contract with the same shipyard for a large stainless-steel tanker.”
“NANTONG XIANGYU secured a booth at Sea Japan and proposed the idea of sharing it with BRS. The joint booth of both companies was highly effective this time because we shared many different clients who visited the booth, leading to mutual benefits. Visiting Tokyo and meeting people from the Japanese shipping industry at Sea Japan was also a fantastic experience for us.”
■ Supporting Hospital Ships
JMD : At Sea Japan, BRS showcased a model ship of “Mercy Ships,” a hospital ship. This ship was built for charitable purposes. Could you tell us about the background?
Gilbert Walter：”In 2007, BRS became aware that the American charity organization ‘Mercy Ships’ was considering ordering a new specially designed large hospital ship. Leveraging our expertise in supporting the construction of specialized vessels, BRS offered pro bono services to Mercy Ships, assisting in the selection of designers, technical partners, and shipyards for construction.”
“As a result, the vessel completed at China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) in 2021 became the world’s largest civilian hospital ship. BRS continues to support Mercy Ships as a sponsor.”
“In Geneva, Switzerland, BRS established ‘Mercy Ships Cargo Day,’ where shipowners, charterers, and brokers donate fees for cargoes concluded on that day to Mercy Ships once a year. Over the past eight years, a total of $9.2 million (approximately 1.38 billion yen) has been raised. BRS is calling for shipowners and charterers to participate in the ‘Mercy Ships Cargo Day’ to be held in November 2024.”
JMD: What approach will the BRS Group take towards the Japanese shipping industry?
Gilbert Walter：”BRS intends to collaborate with the Japanese shipping industry directly and indirectly through key intermediaries in Japan. We are confident that the Japanese shipping industry will continue to expand internationally, and through collaboration, we aim to support the Japanese shipping community.”