“I hate it as a human being. It is the last thing we wanted to do but in the circumstances it was unavoidable.”

The price of the Braemar – ACM shipbroking merger gives no joy to Johnny Plumbe.

(Braemar ACM cuts 13 from staff as merger finalised)

“We expect the MLP-isation of the marine universe to continue in 2014, with multiple new entrants from the offshore and LNG spaces expected over the next 12 months, in addition to non-traditional classes like tankers and containerships, potentially moving the group closer to 12 to 14 members [from nine today].”

Michael Webber of Wells Fargo Securities believes there is going to be further MLP-isation of the marine universe. Time to set course for seas with a more attractive vocabulary?

(Rating agency waves red flag over MLP risks to investors)

 “Defence, no matter how effective, cannot win a victory, it can only stave off defeat so long as other measures, especially those that affect the beneficiaries of crime ashore, are not applied.”

Not Clausewitz or Sun Tzu but US maritime intelligence analyst, Charles Dragonette, turned actor and stage manager....according to LinkedIn.

(West African pirates tap into ‘liquid gold’ riches)

“Shareholders and potential investors are advised to exercise caution when dealing in the shares of the company.”

A don’t say you weren’t warned statement by Jinhui chairman, Ng Siu Fai, as a weaker than expected dry cargo freight market results in a first half loss.

(Jinhui heading for loss)

 “The containership investment story may well be becoming one of large or small.”

So another case of the squeezed middle according to Clarksons.

(Boxship investment story may become one of ‘large or small’)

“It all went brilliantly well, we are all really chuffed. By the time we had done the refloat, we found it [the wreck] was in a relatively good condition.”

A well done me (and colleagues) assessment of the Costa Concordia wreck removal by salvage master, Nick Sloane.

(Salvage master who led the Costa Concordia wreck removal ready to sign off $1bn project)

“We are looking for further evidence that the club will be able to improve its currently strong competitive position in line with those of its peers that we rate ‘A’ or higher.”

Standard & Poor’s likes what it sees at the Norwegian Hull Club but wants confirmation it will stay on course.

(S&P predicts slimmer profit for Norwegian Club)

“We all feel cyber risk is growing quickly and what has happened in the past is not a guide to the future.”

But not everyone will be able to get insurance cover for the risk according to Nick Roscoe of Marsh.

(Marsh launches cyber gap buy-back)