Our regular round-up of the stories behind the headlines this week eyes up plenty of dark clouds on the horizon for the shipping industry, widespread frustration at the US forcing shipping lines to become de facto policemen, why the Panama flag is on a public relations drive and the strange case of the soyabean cargo saga that is keeping m’learned friends in Canada busy through 2020 

Our regular round-up of the stories behind the headlines this week casts an eye over some of the outstanding figures who have made a contribution to shipping over the past 12 months. Beyond the tinsel, a very important story is being uncovered in the small print in Greece, where loans to shipowners are being transferred to private equity funds. As the sulphur cap approaches on the first day of 2020, we also look at whether LNG newbuildings are being put on hold lest they be unable to live out their full lifespan under the new green regime

Delivery of the ships is scheduled for early or middle December this year

Online valuer VesselsValue.com estimates the 61,000 dwt vessels at more than $25m apiece

The 10-ship joint venture Navios Europe I was 47.5% owned by Navios Maritime Holdings and 47.5% by tanker arm Navios Maritime Acquisition, with the remaining 5% held by Navios Maritime Partners

Meanwhile, compatriot offshore player Dayang saw vessel utilisation at its OSV unit Perdana Petroleum hit 91% up from 79% in the second quarter of 2019 because of expanded scope of work and synergies with its parent

Our regular round-up of the stories behind the headlines this week comes to you from Hong Kong, where the Hong Kong Maritime Week reaffirmed the strength and resilience of the city’s shipping and maritime community despite domestic troubles. The Asian shipping and financial hub’s core advantages in ship finance and the discussions among industry leaders were highlighted during the busy week

BP Shipping signed a 10-year leaseback deal for eight product and three suezmax tankers with the ICBC Financial Leasing in 2015

Increasing digitalisation means that lines and terminal operators, as well as others in the supply chain, will have to start taking a more collaborative approach to move forward