Greetings,
If there were clear, bullet point form answers, I am sure we would all get distinctions. I wrote Tanker Chartering last year, and the success of my studies was based on a complete understanding of all the elements of tanker chartering, from what a ship looks like including holds, to what the economics of the various oil trades entail.
The answers are not a clearly defined as say a drawing of a vessel would be, some answers require you to put thought into it – like giving your opinion on the market today and in the future. Your opinion cannot be taken from a text book, but what you can do is look at international trade, read up in the media about current events, from oil spills to China’s stake in SINOPEC. Just that is an indicator as to what the market is doing – which is merely an example.
Knowing your voyage estimate and demurrage calculations is vital – which means you will need to understand clauses that relate to this – again, your interpretation is important.
Keep in mind that all the examiners want is to have the confidence that you are confident with what you have studied or experienced. If you work actively in one of the fields you are studying, you have an added advantage, in that some practical experience cannot be published and the examiners like to see some fresh essays during marking.
Wish I could help, but I too am a student and hopefully my advice will help me pass my own examinations next week.
There are some great publications out there – and the internet has loads of quick references.
GOOD LUCK!
Vanessa
