A DOUBLE boost from higher time charter and much higher spot revenues has propelled General Maritime to more than double its third quarter net profit, writes Rajesh Joshi.

TURKISH Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday addressed the opening plenary at the World Economic Forum on Europe and Central Asia in Istanbul. Organisers hope the three-day regional meeting will help to shape solutions to the global economic crisis. The forum will also focus on business opportunities that might arise from the crisis, energy and resources security, central Asia?s role in the world and Turkey?s position as a bridge between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. AP

UNITED Nations member states have voted in record numbers to urge the United States to lift its 46-year-old economic embargo against Cuba, in a non-binding measure adopted for the 17th straight year.

TODAY?s credit-driven market meltdown is potentially the greatest period of investment opportunity in more than two decades for companies with solid fundamentals, according to Genco Shipping&Trading chairman Peter Georgiopoulos.

CONTAINER shipping freight rates will continue falling throughout next year unless significant capacity is removed from the global network, London consultancy firm Drewry is predicting.

CONTAINER lines are seeking clarification from Brussels about proposed changes to consortia rules that could have far-reaching consequences for the industry and its spider?s web of entwined relationships.