It seems paradoxical. On the one hand, the shipping industry is known for its technological and business innovations, thanks to those who follow new and independent paths. On the other hand, it has a culture of conformity that has gone unnoticed.
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The shipping world’s silence on the Gaza flotilla attack
Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and detention of 462 activists plainly violated international maritime law. The incident took place from the 1st to the 3rd of October about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast in international waters. Yet, save for some unions, the global shipping community has been silent on the matter.
Life on the waterfront: Snapshots in vintage etchings
The waterfront has an atmosphere like no other. The coming and going of ships, the movement of machines on the wharves, the sounds of seagulls and salt water—all evoke a feeling of energy. But above all it is the grit and brawn of stevedores (pictured above) that give the place a certain character, a human dimension that is more interesting than machines.
Waning US merchant fleet calls for new US mindset
Alarm bells continue to ring over the decline of the US-flag merchant fleet, accompanied by dire warnings that this puts national security at risk. The merchant marine-national defence connection is an old theme that harks back to World War II and the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt:
5 bold maritime wishes in the Year of the Dragon
It’s the Year of the Dragon from 10 February 2024 to 28 January 2024 according to Chinese astrology. Shall we see some major changes in the shipping industry? No, not innovations in technology or marketing, but a shift in the values and outlooks of those who deal with ships and the men and women who man them.
Uncommon views on some key maritime players
I have journeyed long enough in the maritime world as a writer to know that things are not always as they seem. Appearances can deceive.
US maritime heritage embedded in state seals
The United States ranked no. 11 in the 2022 UNCTAD table of countries with the largest fleets in terms of carrying capacity (deadweight tonnes). It was way below the top three fleet owners — Greece, China and Japan. Nonetheless, Americans can take pride in having an enviable maritime heritage and preserving and keeping it alive in their art, music and literature. That legacy is even embedded in the official seals of 13 states.
The expression ‘the docks’ re-examined
British English has a certain flavour that can make it quite pleasant to hear. The plural noun “docks”, for example, means the man-made structures for the mooring and loading/unloading of boats and ships. But when Brits say “I’m going down to the docks,” they refer to the area of water where the docks (quay walls, piers or wharves) are located and the offices and warehouses around them.
Five of the biggest ironies in today’s shipping world
Simply put, an irony is an aspect of a situation which is contrary to what one would normally expect. A seagull perched on a No-Fishing sign is thus ironic. The incongruence between expectation and actuality, which frequently happens in the world of shipping, can be jarring.
A trio of superb poems about steamboats
It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. The reverse can be true. A poet who is not banal can paint, with just a line or two, a picture that is worth a thousand words. Such a poet can even convey certain sounds that a mute painting or photograph cannot.
Spotlight on boatswains in vintage photography and art
The important role played by the boatswain (often called “bosun”) cannot be gainsaid. He is the senior crewman of the ship’s deck department — the major-domo, as it were, in charge of planning, scheduling, and assigning work to be carried out by the other deckhands.
People and steamboats: A bygone era remembered
Save for a few survivors, the steamboats of yore have long vanished. Gone are their captains and passengers, the sound of their whistles, and the fumes from their smokestacks. The ghosts of the past, however, linger on in old photographs to tell their stories.