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ABOUT

WHO WE ARE

FUTURESHIPS is a shipbroking firm focused on the decarbonisation of shipping. We are a forward-thinking, independent shipbroker dedicated to the top-rated vessels trading currently on the market and in the future innovative future ship designs providing alternative fuel propulsion.

Specializing in the dry bulk sector, FUTURESHIPS provides comprehensive chartering services, including time chartering on spot and period TCs, and voyage chartering.

In the future we expect to provide additional shipping segments, services, and locations to our portfolio to round out our business offering.

Keeping pace with a changing industry

Where FUTURESHIPS fits in.

“With tightening environmental regulations and ever more ambitious GHG savings expectations from cargo owners and financiers, it is crucial for ship owners to accelerate the reduction of GHG emissions from their operations and for charterers to help enable this where they can.”

– the Digital Ship, 17 Nov 2022

In response to the swift transformations in regulatory frameworks, digitalization, safety standards, and societal expectations within the international commercial shipping industry, FUTURESHIPS was founded. The Covid pandemic saw the emergence of numerous webinars, hosted by thought leaders in the shipping domain, including media and communication outlets, classification societies, digital service providers, engineers, shipping NGOs and organizations, and financial institutions. The insightful discussions held by these industry experts served as the driving force behind the inception of FUTURESHIPS.

Maintaining the best of “old school”

While the landscape of shipping is rapidly changing through digitization and regulation, the time-honoured “old school” values of trust, integrity and confidentiality are adhered to at FUTURESHIPS. We adhere to the motto OUR WORD, OUR BOND.

The firm’s unwavering commitment to excellence and promptly responding to clients needs ensures its clients receive superior solutions for both present-day and future shipping needs.

See more detail of our offerings under services

THE IMPERATIVE

The imperative: Decarbonising the Shipping Industry for a Sustainable Future

The shipping industry is responsible for transporting more than 80% of global trade, making it a vital component of the global economy. However, it is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 2.89% of global CO2 emissions in 2018. If left unchecked, the shipping industry could see this number rise exponentially by 2050. Therefore, it is imperative that the shipping industry undertakes decarbonisation efforts to ensure a sustainable future for all.

Combat Climate Change

Rapid decarbonisation is essential for the shipping industry to meet the Paris Agreement targets of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Achieving these goals will help mitigate the catastrophic impacts of climate change on ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide.

Regulatory Compliance

Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly adopting stringent measures to reduce GHG emissions. Implementing decarbonisation strategies will enable the shipping industry to comply with evolving regulations and avoid potential penalties or sanctions.

Economic Viability

As the global economy shifts towards sustainability, demand for low-carbon shipping solutions will grow. Early adoption of decarbonisation technologies can give businesses a competitive advantage, allowing them to capitalize on new market opportunities and attract ecologically-conscious customers.

Energy Efficiency

Decarbonisation often goes hand in hand with increased energy efficiency, which translates to reduced fuel consumption and operating costs. By investing in energy-efficient technologies and practices, companies can improve their bottom line while contributing to environmental protection.

Reputation and Brand Value

Consumers and investors are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of the companies they support. Embracing decarbonisation demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, which can enhance reputation and brand value, ultimately leading to increased customer loyalty and investor interest.

The shipping industry must prioritise decarbonisation to play its part in combating climate change, ensure regulatory compliance, and secure its long-term economic success. The benefits of decarbonisation are multifaceted, making it a crucial step towards a sustainable future for the shipping industry.

Ross Fothergill

Founder

OUR FOUNDER

Ross Fothergill is passionate about ships and the future of shipping. Ross believes that the industry possesses the requisite knowledge and skills to enable substantial change in order forge a better environment. What is required above all is a focused mind-set and a commitment to collaboration across multiple stakeholders. FUTURESHIPS aims to provide this with specialised shipbroking services.

With a diverse 25-year background in commercial shipping, Ross Fothergill has held various roles in shipping including shipbroker, ship operator, commercial manager, trade manager, owners’ representative, and port agent across the dry bulk, break-bulk, and container sectors. He began his shipping career in 1997 as a trainee shipbroker in Tokyo focusing on the U.S. Gulf/Japan Panamax trade. Since then, he has worked for Japanese, European, Chilean, Canadian, and Hong Kong-based shipping companies, participating in global commodities trades including grains, minerals, fertilisers, forest products, and steels.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Ross is a Chartered Shipbroker.

With a keen interest in shipping dispute resolution, he is an Accredited Mediator with the London School of Mediation (LSM) and Qualified Mediator with the International Mediation Institute (IMI), a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a Supporting Member of both the Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group (HKMAG) and the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA).

An adherent of life-long learning, Ross has recently completed BIMCO Masterclasses in Commodity Trading & Chartering as well as Sale & Purchase.

Our Professional Memberships