“Wedaily confront issues of exploitation, abandonment, criminalisation and piracy.It is our continuing duty to tackle these issues and many others.”

Newbroom at the ITF Steve Cotton may be a low profile pragmatist but is not takinghis eye off core issues for the labour union federation.

(NewCotton style for ITF)

“Alot of them see shipping today as a field where they can generate a healthyincome.”

Theguys with the money are upbeat according to Credit Suisse’s John Haefelfinger.What can they know that has escaped mere mortals?

(CreditSuisse chalks up $2bn in new loans)

“Wehave efforts by shipbuilders now to increase demand through the promise of moreefficient designs, pushing them as if they were pushing a new hybrid car modelto a typical end consumer.”

NikosPapantonopoulos of Intermodal warns that it is still unclear if investment ineco ships will pay off.

(Intermodalin eco warning)

“We’reextremely pleased with the performance of the US flag, and we have highexpectations that we’ll maintain that strong performance for a reasonableperiod of time.”

Ahungry Morten Arntzen of OSG finds time to celebrate that the Jones Act marketis more stable than the feast or famine cycle of the international tankertrade.

(Shale-oilboom beckons Jones Act tanker owners)

“Therehave been billions of dollars invested on the assumption that the Jones Act isgoing to be continuing.”

AndOSG colleague Robert Johnston sees political support for Jones Act protectionismcontinuing.

(Studycould prompt fight over cabotage trade in Puerto Rico)

“Theboard has made the decision for a relatively modest premium increase in theshort term as opposed to more substantial and painful increases in future.”

Andeven better Dino Caroussis and fellow UK Club directors have opted for apremium discount that does not need a calculator to work out unlike a leadingrival the previous week.

(UKClub opts for discount to ease rate increase pain)

“Wedon’t know exactly where we are in the cycle but we have probably got another18 months to two years of shipping in the doldrums. At this stage we have to besuper aware of where we are.”

HugoWynn-Williams of the UK Club is also taking a cautious view although the P&Imutual appears to be on a steadier course than a few years ago.

(UKClub set fair despite darkening claims view)

“Weare busy handling three cases at the same time and so no time to attend.”

Letshope Nobu Su finds an understanding judge when he answers allegations that he maybe in contempt of the English high court.

(NobuSu warned of being in contempt of court)

“Wemay buy both older and younger ships than Irene going forward.”

Sosays Seatrans’ Johan G Hvide. But what's wrong with more ships of the samevintage as the 11,900-dwt stainless steel chemical carrier Irene (built 2000).

(Seatranspushes fleet renewal with tanker buy)

"Asit stands at the moment there's no ship that's guaranteed to arrive inAustralia by the sail dates but we have made it our focus to continue to seek avessel and find a substitute.”

BradTonks the administrator of Australia’s Classic International Cruises warns thatthe outlook is uncertain for the 6,000 booked passengers.

(CICcalls for help)