Howe Robinson and Company Ltd was established in London in 1883. It has since grown into one of the largest privately-owned dry-cargo and containership broking houses in the world, with about 50 brokers based in the London head office and our branch offices in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai.
Since a management buyout in 1988, the group has enhanced its position in the shipbroking market by actively exploiting new opportunities as well as through the acquisition of other broking companies. Business activities range through all aspects of dry-cargo and containership chartering and sale and purchase markets.
In Howe Robinson Shipbrokers, specialist desks have been set up to work particular areas of the dry cargo market. Additionally the company became involved in the container market as it started to develop, and has established itself as a leading broker in this field. Erlebach Shipbrokers was incorporated into Howe Robinson in 1992 and provides shipbroking services to a number of major sugar houses.
Howe Robinson Sale and Purchase and New Building departments handle the group's activities in second-hand, new buildings and demolition of containerships and bulk carriers.
When, in 1996, Howe Robinson acquired Lambert Brothers, it included their office in Japan situated then, as now, in the offices of Mitsui OSK lines. Now known as Howe Robinson Tokyo, this office provides broking services to Mitsui and other major Japanese shipping companies.

• Cargo broking
• Containership broking