Some see them as barbarians at the gates. Others believe they play a vital role in the complex ecosystem of the public-equity markets. But whichever opinion is right, it is clear that activist investors and hedge funds are upping their game and are set to put even greater pressure on directors to reform company policies. And while they may as yet only be sniping around the edges of the community of US public shipping companies, their influence is forecast to grow and perhaps spread to Europe with greater force.