“It’s about time that Greece taxes its shipowners.”

Michael Fuchs, a senior centre right politician from Germany has a suggestion for Greece’s new left wing government as the tabloid newspaper, Bild, highlights the tax status of super rich shipowners.

(Germans launch tax attack on Greece)

 “Greek-owned shipping was, is and wishes to remain present in its home. But for this to happen, it must be outside political controversy with its institutional framework fully respected, if it is to maintain the same admirable performance, which has given Greece the utmost privilege of occupying the top position in international shipping.”

But Union of Greek Shipowners chairman, Theodore Veniamis, is unimpressed as he calls on Greece’s ruling Syriza party to hold back from altering the shipping tax regime.

("Respect the law")

“If not for the political clouds on the horizon, maybe we would have been competing for Euronav for equity capital money.”

A reminder that even in a hot tanker market foreign politics is an important factor from SCF Sovcomflot chief financial officer, Nikolay Kolesnikov.

(SCF ‘ticks all the boxes’ as IPO candidate)

“When I first started covering this industry, there were four US-listed companies. Now there are more than 50. The right number isn’t four, and it isn’t 55. There are a dozen stocks under $300m [market cap] that shouldn’t be public companies. You need maybe 20 companies with a $1bn market cap and significant trading volumes.

But veteran shipping analyst, Jonathan Chappell of Evercore ISI, takes the view it is time for rather fewer listed companies.

(Mutual funds believed to be sniffing a return to shipping)

“There’s no evidence to support that institutions are back in. Tankers are back in favour but it takes more than one-quarter to make a tanker market. I think most will wait another quarter or two to see if the day rates hold. We need more months with good day rates.”

Global Hunter Securities investment banking chief, David Frischkorn, takes a glass half empty view of the prospects of financial institutions being tempted by the tanker market.

(Hedge funds dominate list of investors)

“A small owner can absolutely compete head-to-head with a big owner.”

An explanation for why the tanker trade has remained fragmented from Ridgebury Tankers finance chief, Hew Crooks

(Ridgebury executive questions the market fixation with scale)

“We can compete with the majors, so that is not a problem but it is not so much fun to be a small part of a large broking group.”

Keeping fun in the business is a priority for insurance broker Jan Risinger of Fairweather Marine.

(Fairwater moves into Denmark through merger with Krahn)

"There is little news when we have all the ships fixed out.”

No news is good news for Gram Car Carriers but something of a contradiction here as Karl Terjesen still made the pages of TradeWinds this week.

(Gram fixes newbuild pair to Norwegian compatriot Siem)

“Carriers have to be worried. There is a big concern over what they are carrying, and handling misdeclared cargo. There is a bigger concern over ship and port security and the integrity of containers.”

Royston Ford of loss adjuster Cunningham Lindsey warns that of increasing levels of cargo fraud.

(Cargo fraudsters show up serious security failings)

“We sometimes get bogged down in nickel and dime issues about rice to West Africa. But for an independent shipowner trading a vessel in an increasingly litigious world, where claims might not be $50,000 or $100,000 but can be $2bn or $3bn, if you get caught in the States for pollution or some other major claim, you get peace of mind from the fact that you have the certainty you have $3bn of cover with reinsurance and up to about $7bn with overspill.”

Former UK Club chairman, Dinos Caroussis of Chios Navigation, explains how P&I cover allows owners to sleep easy.

(Is fairness threatened by big fleets’ market clout?)