“We get approached by manufacturers of all sorts of fuel saving devices. If I add them all up we’d probably be producing fuel by now.”

Is Maersk technical chief Tommy Thomassen, ignoring a magic new revenue stream, or is he just an oily handed sceptic?

(Nose jobs not suitable for slow tankers)

“Is it not getting better for gas than for other segments? Yes it is and that is why we got a good offer.”

But let’s hope that Hanne Sorensen of Maersk Tankers does not turn the concept of moving out of promising business areas into a strategy.

(‘Price was right’)

“It will somehow always disappoint you but also surprise you and give you energy working within the organisation. To travel and meet people within the organisation and to feel the energy is fantastic and very motivating for me ....We are a conservative company but we do try to be dynamic.”

A nuanced description of the software issues facing Thomas Wilhelmsen as boss of the family firm but does he want it both ways?

(Wilhelmsen foreign growth mirrors ‘dynamic’ approach)

“There are some ships built that should never have been built. They are burning 10 tons of fuel a day more [than the latest designs] and that is a lot when ships are earning only $7,000 to $10,000 a day.”

Is Jens Ismar of Western Bulk proposing a ‘fit to trade’ test at delivery with failures immediately sent to the torch?

(Western Bulk exhibits money making prowess)

“We don’t fix in a low market. We would rather sweat it out.”

Golden Ocean’s Herman Billung explains his strategy. Nice if you can but not everyone has the benefit of Fredriksen dollars.

(Golden Ocean on the mend and ready to play market upswing)

“The fix and forget days are over.”

Thomas Kaas plans a service orientated approach as he rebuilds the depleted ranks of brokers at Lorentzen & Stemoco.

(‘Higher level of service’ by brokers is the key for Kaas)

“It is a girl’s dream for me to buy a couple of ships....I would like to go back when the business gets better. I loved being a broker. I like the physical side of the business, that a ship sails from port A to port B.”

It appears that Elisa Bergshaven has more expensive tastes than handbags and shoes. So maybe she needs to use her loaf and get back to making bread by broking instead of baking.

(Bringing shipping savvy to a family bakery business)

“We must not become fat and lazy because we are getting too rich.”

Sounds as if Oystein Meland and Bergen shipowners need to keep well away from Elisa’s bakeri, especially the blotkake.

(Bergen bid to extend lead)

“My stomach and liver have grown already.”

Christos Papanicolaou has already got a taste for his new job, developing the business of  tanker broker Charles R Weber, but does he relish it?

 “Spot is the driver and it has been for many, many years.  The cream on the cake is projects and financing — but it’s a very nice cream.”

And Weber director, James Ford, reveals who is in the driving seat and a taste for the good things in life.

(New Weber era as Mavroleon hands baton to Papanicolaou)

“Investors are still reluctant to take a chance on conventional shipping companies and you need to have a good story to tell them.”

Let's hope the good story that DNB’s Knut Elvind Haaland is talking is a strong business proposition rather than a fairy tale.

(Offshore takes up baton as Oslo bond market booms)

“The board is of the opinion that the tanker market is massively oversupplied today and that it may take some time before a reasonable market balance is restored and sustained recovery of the tanker market occurs.”

A cautious view of tanker trade prospects from a gang who should know - John Fredriksen’s Frontline.

(Frontline’s bleak forecast)

“A competitive organisation that is aligned to the prevailing market conditions.”

A worthy business target is set by Helene Mellquist of Rederi AB TransAtlantic. So much better than being uncompetitive and out of kilter with the market.

(TransAtlantic cuts back)

“Everyone makes mistakes, the role of a manager is to identify the mistakes and make sure they do not happen again.”

Torvald Klaveness’ Lasse Kristoffersen sound a very nice understanding boss especially as he is talking about the loss of the containership, Bareli, one of the more costly of recent casualties.

(Klaveness ‘back to being a shipping company’)

 “The Jones Act tanker market is booming and is likely to keep booming — but what many people aren’t paying attention to is that crude oil exports are likely at some point, which we are already starting to see with refined products."

Washington lawyer, Charlie Papavizas, reveals a sideline as an energy guru.

(Jones Act tanker market boom tipped to continue)

“They were skilled labourers seeking opportunities here in the US and only came and borrowed all that money because they believed that they were going to have the opportunity to have green cards and permanent residency, and instead they were forced into a type of modern day servitude.”

Life in the land of free can still be tough according to Houston lawyer, Daniella Landers.

(US yard group faces legal barrage over guest worker hiring)