Data-driven digital tools will play an increasingly important role for shipbrokers as technology advances, but personality and people skills will remain a vital component of success in business, leading figures in the sector believe.

Blending the two will be critical in ensuring clients receive the standard of service necessary to retain their loyalty as pressure mounts for efficiency savings.

Few expect dramatic disruption of the broking sector due to technology alone in the near term, according to speakers at the International Shipbroking Forum in London this week.