An independent maritime career project

Your Starting Point for a
Maritime Career

ShippingCircle is a student-founded project helping those interested in shipping, maritime finance, shipbroking, logistics, and port operations explore the industry, find opportunities, and build their professional path.

Shipping
Maritime Finance
Shipbroking
Logistics
Supply Chains
Port Operations
About ShippingCircle
A project built by someone on the same path

ShippingCircle was created by someone with a genuine interest in the maritime industry. It started as a personal effort to make the world of shipping, maritime finance, and related fields more accessible to students and early-career professionals who are trying to find their way in.

The maritime industry is vast, global, and often opaque from the outside. ShippingCircle exists to help bridge that gap — by sharing information, highlighting career paths, and connecting people who are curious about what a career at sea, in a shipbroking firm, or in maritime finance actually looks like.

What ShippingCircle offers

Information on maritime industry sectors and what careers within them actually involve

Internship and career opportunity listings relevant to students and young professionals

Guidance on professional development, networking, and how to break into the industry

Resources including associations, certifications, and reading material to deepen your knowledge

A growing community of people who share the same interest in maritime careers

Maritime industry areas
Six sectors worth understanding

The maritime industry is broad. Whether your interest lies in finance, operations, trading, or engineering, there is a career path within it. Here is a brief overview of the core areas ShippingCircle focuses on.

Shipping

The movement of goods across the world's oceans. Careers in shipping span vessel operations, fleet management, commercial shipping, and technical management of vessels.

Fleet ManagementVessel OperationsCommercial
💰

Maritime Finance

The financing of ships, shipping companies, and maritime assets. Roles include ship finance, structured lending, investment analysis, and maritime banking — often based in London, Geneva, or Singapore.

Ship FinanceInvestmentBanking
📊

Shipbroking

The buying, selling, and chartering of vessels. Shipbrokers act as intermediaries between vessel owners and charterers. It is a relationship-driven, fast-paced commercial career.

CharteringSale & PurchaseDry CargoTankers
🚚

Logistics

The planning, coordination, and movement of goods from origin to destination. Maritime logistics involves freight forwarding, customs, documentation, and supply chain coordination.

Freight ForwardingCustomsImport/Export
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Supply Chains

The networks through which raw materials and finished goods move globally. Supply chain professionals manage flow, risk, sourcing, and distribution — often working closely with shipping and logistics teams.

ProcurementDistributionRisk

Port Operations

The management and operation of ports and terminals. Port professionals oversee cargo handling, vessel scheduling, terminal operations, and the coordination of maritime trade infrastructure.

Terminal OpsCargo HandlingScheduling
Career & internship opportunities
Finding your first step

Getting into the maritime industry often requires a first step — an internship, a short placement, or an entry-level role. ShippingCircle curates relevant opportunities and shares guidance on how to approach your maritime job search.

🎓

Internships

Short-term placements are one of the best ways to get real exposure to the maritime industry. We highlight internship opportunities relevant to students and recent graduates across maritime sectors.

💼

Graduate Roles

Many maritime firms offer structured graduate programmes. We share information on what these look like and how to approach the application process for roles in shipbroking, finance, and operations.

🔎

Career Guidance

Understanding which role suits you, how to position your CV for maritime firms, and how to navigate the industry as a newcomer — ShippingCircle shares honest, practical guidance.

Currently available

Import Logistics Internship
Yeppa Imports · Atlanta, Georgia, USA · 3 months
Internship $1,200/mo

More opportunities will be shared as they become available. Join the waitlist to be notified.

Networking & professional development
Building connections in a relationship-driven industry

The maritime industry runs on relationships. Knowing the right people, understanding how the industry works, and being present in the right spaces matters — especially early in your career.

🤝

Industry connections

Maritime is a small, relationship-driven world. Reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn, attending industry events, and being genuinely curious goes a long way when you are starting out.

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Student associations

Many universities with maritime programmes have student shipping societies or associations. These are often underused but provide excellent early access to the industry and to peers with similar interests.

📍

Industry events

Conferences like Posidonia, Nor-Shipping, and Gastech bring the maritime world together. As a student, attending or following these events — even remotely — helps you understand the landscape.

📝

Your online presence

A professional LinkedIn profile that clearly communicates your interest in maritime, your academic background, and your ambitions is one of the simplest things you can do to attract opportunities.

Resources & industry exploration
Start learning the industry

The more you understand about how maritime works — commercially, operationally, and financially — the better positioned you will be. Here are some starting points.

🌍 Industry organisations

Key bodies that govern, represent, and connect the maritime industry globally.

Baltic Exchange — freight market benchmarks BIMCO — shipping contracts & education IMO — international maritime regulation Intertanko — tanker owners association ICS — International Chamber of Shipping

📚 Reading & learning

Publications and resources to help you follow the industry and deepen your knowledge.

TradeWinds — daily shipping news Lloyd's List — shipping & maritime intelligence Splash 247 — maritime media BIMCO online courses The Shipping Man — Martin Stopford book

🎓 Education & certifications

Programmes and qualifications recognised within the maritime industry.

World Maritime University — Malmö Plymouth University — Maritime Business University of Piraeus — Shipping Chalmers — Naval Architecture CASS Business School — Shipping Finance

Stay in the loop

Join the ShippingCircle waitlist and be the first to hear about new opportunities, resources, and updates as the project develops.

No spam. Just relevant updates about maritime careers and ShippingCircle.

Who we are
Built from genuine interest in the industry

ShippingCircle is an independent project created by a young professional with a real interest in the maritime industry. ShippingCircle is an independent project created to help students and young professionals explore maritime careers, opportunities, and networking. It was built by someone who found the maritime world fascinating, noticed how hard it was to find clear, accessible information as an outsider, and decided to do something about it.

The goal is simple: to make it easier for students and young professionals to understand what the maritime industry looks like, what kinds of careers exist within it, and how to take their first steps into it.

Shipping, maritime finance, shipbroking, logistics, supply chains, and port operations are all deeply important industries that touch almost every aspect of global trade. Yet they remain relatively unknown to most students outside of specialised maritime universities. ShippingCircle aims to change that — not at scale, but one person at a time.

This is an early-stage project. It will grow over time. If you are a student, a recent graduate, or someone just beginning to explore what a maritime career might look like, ShippingCircle is built for you.

What ShippingCircle is — and what it is not

It is

An independent maritime career project
A resource for students and young professionals
A place to explore maritime career paths
A growing project built with genuine purpose

It is not

A recruitment agency or staffing firm
A job board or marketplace
A venture-backed startup
A large professional network or platform

Shipping

Shipping is the movement of goods by sea — accounting for roughly 90% of global trade. Careers in shipping range from commercial shipping management and vessel operations to technical management and crewing. It is one of the oldest and most international industries in the world.

Fleet ManagementCommercial ShippingTechnical ManagementCrewing
💰

Maritime Finance

Ships are expensive assets. Maritime finance covers the lending, investment, and structuring of deals that allow shipping companies to acquire and operate vessels. Key hubs include London, Geneva, Hamburg, and Singapore. Roles exist within banks, private equity firms, and shipping companies themselves.

Ship FinanceStructured LendingInvestment AnalysisMaritime Banking
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Shipbroking

Shipbrokers act as intermediaries between vessel owners and those who want to use vessels — known as charterers. The role involves negotiating charter parties, sale and purchase transactions, and maintaining long-term commercial relationships. It is demanding, fast-paced, and relationship-driven.

Dry CargoTankersSale & PurchaseGas & LNG
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Logistics

Logistics is the practical coordination of moving goods from one place to another. In the maritime context, this includes freight forwarding, customs clearance, documentation, port coordination, and last-mile delivery. Logistics professionals bridge the gap between sea transport and the final customer.

Freight ForwardingCustomsImport/ExportDocumentation
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Supply Chains

Supply chains are the networks through which raw materials and finished products move from producers to consumers. Maritime supply chain roles involve sourcing, procurement, risk management, and distribution planning — often working alongside shipping and logistics teams on a global scale.

ProcurementDistributionRisk ManagementGlobal Trade

Port Operations

Ports are the nodes through which maritime trade flows. Port operations professionals oversee cargo handling, vessel scheduling, terminal management, and the infrastructure that keeps global trade moving. Roles exist at port authorities, terminal operators, and logistics companies worldwide.

Terminal OperationsCargo HandlingVessel SchedulingTrade Infrastructure
Getting started
How to approach your maritime career

Breaking into maritime as a student or young professional requires some preparation and persistence. Here is honest, practical guidance on how to approach it.

🎓

Start with internships

An internship — even a short one — gives you real exposure to how the industry works. It also tells employers that you have taken initiative. Target firms that are small enough to give you genuine responsibility from day one.

📜

Your CV for maritime

Maritime firms, especially in shipbroking and finance, value commercial awareness, numerical ability, and communication skills. Tailor your CV to show genuine interest in the industry — mention specific firms, market knowledge, or relevant coursework.

💬

Reach out directly

Many maritime roles — especially internships — are never formally advertised. A well-written, concise LinkedIn message or email to the right person at a firm you admire is often more effective than applying through a job board.

Currently listed
Available internship

ShippingCircle is in its early stages. Below is a current internship opportunity listed through the project. More will be added as they become available.

Import Logistics Internship
Yeppa Imports · Atlanta, Georgia, USA · 3 months
Internship $1,200/mo

Want to be notified when new opportunities are listed? Join the waitlist →

The maritime industry has a lot of depth. The more you read, follow, and understand — the more credible you will be when speaking to professionals or applying for roles. These are some of the most useful starting points.

🌍 Industry organisations

Key bodies that govern, represent, and connect the maritime industry globally. Following their publications is a good way to stay informed.

Baltic Exchange — freight benchmarks & market data BIMCO — shipping education & standard contracts IMO — international maritime regulation Intercargo — bulk carrier owners Intertanko — tanker owners association ICS — International Chamber of Shipping

📚 Reading & media

Publications that cover the maritime industry daily. Reading these regularly will help you understand what is happening commercially and operationally.

TradeWinds — daily shipping news Lloyd's List — shipping & maritime intelligence Splash 247 — independent maritime media Maritime Executive — industry analysis Shipping Man by Martin Stopford — key book Maritime Economics by Martin Stopford

🎓 Education

Universities and programmes with strong maritime reputations. Some offer distance learning options for those not studying in these locations.

World Maritime University — Malmö, Sweden Plymouth University — MSc Maritime Business University of Piraeus — shipping degrees Chalmers University — naval architecture Bayes Business School — shipping finance MSc NTNU Norway — marine technology

📋 Certifications

Industry-recognised qualifications that can strengthen your profile when applying for maritime roles.

BIMCO courses — chartering, contracts, operations Baltic Exchange qualification STCW — seafarer certification CILT — Chartered Institute of Logistics Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS)

🏆 Industry events

Major maritime conferences and exhibitions where the industry gathers. Even following these events on social media provides useful exposure.

Posidonia — Athens, biennial shipping forum Nor-Shipping — Oslo, maritime solutions Gastech — gas & LNG industry Europort — Rotterdam, maritime tech SMM Hamburg — shipbuilding & marine

👥 Who to follow

LinkedIn is the most active platform for maritime professionals. Following the right people and firms will give you a much clearer picture of the industry.

Leading shipbrokers — SSY, Braemar, Affinity Maritime finance professionals on LinkedIn Baltic Exchange official page TradeWinds and Lloyd's List pages BIMCO and IMO official accounts
← Back to opportunities
YEP

Import Logistics Internship

Yeppa Imports · Atlanta, Georgia, USA · 3 months

Internship Import Logistics Atlanta, GA, USA $1,200/month

About the role

Yeppa Imports is an import and distribution company based in Atlanta, Georgia, sourcing consumer goods and industrial products from Asia, Europe, and Latin America. They are offering a 3-month paid internship within their import operations team.

This is a practical, hands-on role for someone interested in international trade and logistics. You will be involved in the day-to-day coordination of inbound shipments, working with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and suppliers. It is a good entry point for anyone exploring a career in global logistics or supply chain management.

What you will be doing

  • Coordinating inbound shipments with freight forwarders and ocean carriers
  • Tracking container movements and maintaining internal logistics records
  • Liaising with customs brokers on documentation and clearance
  • Supporting supplier communication and purchase order management
  • Analysing shipping costs, transit times, and carrier performance

Who they are looking for

  • Studying or recently graduated in Supply Chain, Logistics, Maritime, or International Business
  • Organised and comfortable working with spreadsheets and tracking systems
  • Clear communicator with a proactive, problem-solving approach
  • Authorised to work in the United States

Internship details

Company
Yeppa Imports
Location
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Monthly stipend
$1,200 / month
Duration
3 months
Sector
Import Logistics
Start date
Flexible — Summer 2026
Work type
On-site, Atlanta
← Back to internship
💼
Import Logistics Internship
Yeppa Imports · Atlanta, GA · $1,200/mo · 3 months
Apply for this internship

Fill in your details below and your application will be shared with Yeppa Imports.

Your details will be shared with Yeppa Imports for this role only.

✓ Application submitted

Thank you for applying to the Import Logistics Internship at Yeppa Imports. Your application has been received and will be reviewed. Good luck.

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Join the waitlist

ShippingCircle is in early development. Join the waitlist and we will keep you updated as the project grows — new opportunities, resources, and updates relevant to maritime careers.

No spam, ever. Only relevant updates about maritime careers and ShippingCircle.

✓ You are on the list

Thank you for joining ShippingCircle. We will keep you updated as the platform develops and let you know when new opportunities and resources become available.

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ShippingCircle
Contact us

Have a question, a suggestion, or want to know more about ShippingCircle? We would love to hear from you.

✓ Message received

Thank you for reaching out. We will get back to you as soon as possible — usually within a couple of days.