What the Ship! Australian Tugs; Cruise Stocks; Ukraine Grain; Banana Containers & West Coast Labor What's Going on With Shipping? July 6, 2022 In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - former merchant mariner and maritime historian - discusses the Top 5 Maritime Stories as of July 6, 2022. First, a Hong Kong-flag bulker loses power off the southeast coast of Australia and nearly comes ashore if not for the work of some kick-butt tugboats. Second, cruise lines have been on fire, hit icebergs and being sold for scrap, but more importantly, the stocks of Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have all sunk to their lowest levels since COVID-19. Third, Ukraine asks the world to stop Russian ships from exporting Ukranian wheat, and Greek tanker companies from shipping Russian oil. Fourth, the amount of detention and demurrage charged by shipping companies in the United States is going bananas and is the highest in the world. Finally, the ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association contract has expired and contract renegotiations are unclear, thereby raising questions about the status of cargo operations on the West Coast of the United States.