U.S. flag, twin screw tug "Sea Flyer" to West African interests.

Whilst researching for an interesting quote along the lines of "We live in interesting times" to kick off this article, I came across the correct definition on Wikipedia which I thought was perhaps rather more apt than I initially anticipated.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - Baker Hughes announced today that the international rig count for April 2008 was 1,074, up 20 from the 1,054 counted in March 2008, and up 90 from the 984 counted in April 2007.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - Over the last 10 years, the monthly average retail price for regular-grade gasoline has increased by an average 7 cents a gallon from April to May.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - EIA estimates that members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) earned $674 billion in net oil export revenues in 2007, a 10 percent increase from 2006.

Of the 8,251 vessels and 2,904 barges that Marcon currently tracks, 3,223 are tugs with 372 currently officially on the market for sale worldwide.

The Japanese flag tug "Hitachi Maru" has been sold to private buyers.

The Subsea Inspection Maintenance Repair (IMR) Vessel "Grant Candies" was launched on Saturday 19th April 2008.

Out of the 8,176 vessels and 2,893 barges tracked by Marcon, 334 are utility boats.

"Ocean Wrestler" has been sold five times since built by Beliard Murdoch-Ostend.

The utility and safety/standby boat "Meragi" was sold by Southeast Asian sellers on private terms.

PT Baruna Raya Logistics have completed the sale of their 2002 built, crewboat "Poksay".

Reportedly Somali pirates released the 6,300HP tug "Svitzer Korsakov" after payment of a ransom of $700,000.

"Sikker Havn" sold by Stevns Shipping of Denmark to private buyers.

Remolcadores Dominicanos committed to a third "Ulupinar" series new ASD tug.

Of 8,176 vessels and 2,893 barges tracked by Marcon, 1,805 are supply and tug supply boats.

Of the 8,128 vessels and 2,879 barges Marcon tracks, 541 are crew & pilot boats with 62 officially on the market for sale, up from 60 vessels a year ago, plus we have 23 boats available for charter worldwide.

Since 1990 when Marcon started tracking sales, the company has sold 78 tank barges totaling over 3,532,500bbl capacity (abt. 465,000dwt).

Of the 8,104 vessels (excluding barges) Marcon currently tracks, 486 are inland river pushboats with 67 officially on the market for sale (45 U.S. flag and 22 foreign flag).