Sector segmentation
Brokers specialise: dry cargo, wet (tanker), sale and purchase, offshore, or newbuilding. Ex-officer background particularly valuable in newbuilding + S&P + offshore.
Entry routes
Direct-hire graduate scheme (Clarksons, Simpson Spence Young, Braemar, Fearnleys). Mid-career hire from ship-management or fleet-management background.
Compensation structure
Base salary US$40-80k + commission on closed deals (typically 20-30% of firm's brokerage). Top brokers routinely earn US$500k-3M+. High-variance year-on-year.
Life-cycle
Career longevity 10-30 years. Physical intensity lower than sea career but time commitment substantial (early morning + evening client calls across time zones).