Alexander Nicolai holds a BA in Economics from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, an MSc in Sea Use Law, Marine Policy and Economics from the London School of Economics, and an MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance from Cass Business School, City University London. He began his shipping career at the National Bank of Greece's London shipping loans department, before moving to Nimble Shipping as a junior shipbroker, Chrimar Shipping Enterprises as Assistant Director for Panamax and Capesize owners and operators, and SRM International as a dry cargo and vessel chartering broker. In 2004 he became Director and Senior Freight Broker at Zaurac Inc.
Nicolai has been a panellist at Mare Forum Istanbul (2013 and 2014) and Mare Forum Brazil (2014).