Since it was first published in 1964, Elements of Shipping has become established as a market leader. Now in its ninth edition, Branch’s Elements of Shipping, renamed in memory of Alan Branch, has been updated throughout and revised to take in the many changes that have occurred in the shipping industry in recent years, including the impact of the economic crisis, the Panama Canal expansion and new legislation. All tables and data have been brought up-to-date and many new illustrations have been added.
The book explains in a lucid, professional manner the basic elements of shipping, including operational, commercial, legal, economic, technical, managerial, logistical and financial considerations. It also explores how shipping markets behave and provides an overview of the international shipping industry and seaports. Filling a gap for the discerning reader who wishes to have a complete understanding of all the elements of the global shipping scene together with the interface with seaports, international trade and logistics, it remains essential reading for shipping executives along with students and academics with an interest in the shipping industry.
1 Introduction 2 The ship 3 Ship design and construction 4 Ships, their cargoes, trades and future trends 5 Manning of vessels 6 Customs house and ship’s papers 7 Maritime canals and inland waterways 8 Services performed by principal shipping organizations 9 Passenger fares and freight rates 10 Liner conferences 11 Ship operation 12 Bills of lading 13 Cargoes 14 The shipping company 15 Charter parties 16 Containerization 17 Seaports 18 Multi-modalism: global supply chain management and international logistics 19 The international consignment 20 Information technology and electronic data interchange 21 Ship management 22 Political aspects
Biography
Alan Branch was International Business/Shipping Consultant, Examiner in Shipping, Export Practice and International Marketing and Visiting Lecturer at Cardiff University, Reading University, Plymouth University, Leicester University, London City College and the Rennes International School of Business, France. He passed away on April 2nd 2009.
Michael Robarts, Master Mariner, FICS, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and guest lecturers in maritime subjects. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Commercial Management (ICM) and a course leader for their Maritime Management Diploma programme.
This book is dedicated to Alan Edward Branch.
1933-2009
Alan Branch had his first book published in 1964 and since wrote numerous books covering all aspects of Shipping including Management, Economics and Marketing. He held many lecturing posts on the subject including City University and Kingston. He began his career at British Rail then moved to Sea Containers before retiring to lecturing and writing.
‘I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in shipping or taking a course where shipping is an important element, for example, chartering and broking, maritime transport, exporting and importing, ship management, and international trade. Using an approach of simple analysis and pragmatism, the book provides clear explanations of the basic elements of ship operations and commercial, legal, economic, technical, managerial, logistics, and financial aspects of shipping.’ — Dr Jiangang Fei, National Centre for Ports & Shipping, Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania, Australia
‘Branch’s Elements of Shipping provides the reader with the best all-round examination of the many elements of the international shipping industry. This edition serves as a fitting tribute to Alan Branch and is an essential text for anyone with an interest in global shipping.’ — David Adkins, Lecturer in International Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Plymouth Graduate School of Management, Plymouth University
‘Combining the traditional with the modern is as much a challenge as illuminating operations without getting lost in the fascination of the technical detail. This is particularly true for the world of shipping! Branch’s Elements of Shipping is an ongoing example for mastering these challenges. With its clear maritime focus it provides a very comprehensive knowledge base for relevant terms and details and it is a useful source of expertise for students and practitioners in the field.’ — Günter Prockl, Associate Professor, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark
