How has 2018 been for you? If you are still in this business 10 years after the global financial crisis, you are likely to be an optimist, so let’s start with the good news first.

Compared with the previous two years, shipping markets have unquestionably improved, which is progress. Clarksons' benchmark ClarkSea index of earnings has steadily climbed this year to stand at $16,289 per day last Friday, well above the lacklustre average of $11,826 seen since the last quarter of 2008.