Vivid reminders came this week that companies are never inanimate and dry spreadsheets — they are made by the people who shape them.
And in shipping, personalities and influence come no bigger than Maria Angelicoussis and John Fredriksen who both made radical moves in different ways.
Meanwhile, as the global supply-chain crisis flared the containership orders continued to roll in, while Maersk was reeled from allegations one of its captains abused seafarers and cadets.
1. Maria Angelicoussis hires Stohle as her deputy in Greek shipowning colossus
A surprise departure was followed quickly by a re-emergence. First, Hoegh LNG Holdings chief executive Sveinung Stohle announces he is leaving his company for a mystery job with a "very large privately-owned shipowner outside of Norway". Then it is revealed he is joining the Angelicoussis Shipping Group.
2. ONE eyes $2.5bn containership deal as yard prices soar
Ocean Network Express, the giant containership joint venture of Japan's three major shipping groups, can't hold out forever. The company is believed to be one of the last few liner companies that has not ordered vessels in the 12,000-teu to 16,999-teu range. Now, it's looking to change that.
3. John Fredriksen already in the money as he takes $123m stake in Euronav
Shipping tycoon John Fredriksen is now the largest shareholder in the main rival of his main tanker company, Frontline. He revealed a 5.5% stake worth $123m before snapping up another chunk that lifted his holding to 9.8%.
4. Maersk captain faces fire over allegations of sexual misconduct at sea
As a furore emerged over allegations of sexual assault of cadets on US-flag ships, TradeWinds uncovered more. An AP Moller-Maersk captain is facing accusations of abusive sexual contact, sexual molestation and misconduct against seafarers and cadets.
5. Lomar Shipping nets $66m on sale of two containerships to MSC
Buy low, sell really high. That's what Lomar Shipping did when it pocketed $66m in proceeds for the sale of two containerships that it bought for a combined price of $20m. Mediterranean Shipping Co doesn't seem to mind as it continues to relentlessly hoover up boxship tonnage.
6. Wind blows Singapore's Kim Heng in fresh direction
Why has Kim Heng taken the word "Oilfield" out of its name? Because the Singapore offshore vessel owner is pivoting away from oil and towards serving the renewable-energy sector.
