Happy Birthday to INTERTANKO who turned 40 this month. And boy did they celebrate in style, with an anniversary dinner at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in the stunning Great Hall. Some 450 of the greatest and the best in shipping enjoyed a fabulous meal and entertainment befitting an industry that has plenty to be proud of!

The 20,000 or so of you who went to Posidonia will now be through your month on the wagon, having given your livers a well-earned rest. In spite of the recession, there was no shortage of entertainment this year. In a symbolic gesture, the Union of Greek Shipowners bash was called off but the Ferraris, Maseratis, glamorous dresses and glittering jewels were there in abundance…

Given the number of newbuildings still to be delivered, in spite of delays or cancellations, the seafarer shortage is likely to become ever more acute. Some estimates put the number of new seafarers needed to cope with the current orderbook at 100,000 to 130,000…

One of the problems stopping former officers being redeployed ashore is that of visas. One Indian master mariner now working for a P&I Club told us recently that while he knew many master mariners based in India that were keen to take up jobs in Europe, their nationality was denying them the opportunity…

Following the successful annual meeting of the Maritime HR Forum in May, work on the 2010 salary survey of 40 shorebased jobs is underway…

The recession has apparently saved shipmanagement companies' bacon…

As the professional body to commercial shipping, the ICS adheres to the 3 R's – Respect, Relevance and Robustness…

For years supposed experts have advised people not to discuss salary too early in the process. We don't agree. And lately we have seen and been told about an increase in the number of people getting to offer stage and then not proceeding…

The Kookmin Bank v Rainy Sky case certainly had any number of people frothing at the mouth at Posidonia last month and speculation was running high about the potential loss of confidence in the English court system following the Court of Appeal judgment…