Editor’s Note

It’s the first of the year, which means the universe of prognosticators are in full bloom, weaving together new insights, analysis and predictions. Though I depend mightily on the power of numbers to help keep abreast of an ever-changing industry, I am becoming ever more wary of the “statistic.” Perhaps more accurately, I am particularly skeptical of the proliferation of too many sources for official statistics, as a seeming flood of data and information serves to cloud rather than clarify.

Increasingly, I find myself — both personally and professionally — falling back to tried and trusted sources of information, eschewing the urge to continually ride on the hottest fad. This is not a general condemnation of everything new; far from it. Rather, it is a far more selective approach to information assimilation and use.

When John J. O’Malley started Maritime Reporter & Engineering News (then known as Maritime Activity Reports) 65 years ago in 1939, “Timely News Condensed for the Executive” was the simple tagline that accompanied each edition. While the world has certainly changed from 1939 to 2004, I do believe that this simple mission remains the same today. Through the pages of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, sister publications MarineNews and the recently launched Maritime Security Sourcebook, as well as our family of Electronic information products that include MaritimeToday and The Shipbuilding Report (www.shipbuilding.com), the entire staff here aspires to bring to you ... on a daily, weekly and monthly basis ... fresh information, insight, analysis, data and yes, even statistics, that are designed to inform, entertain and ultimately, help you run your maritime business more effectively.

As we celebrate our 65th year, I invite you to share with us your personal and professional stories that have made this industry, and this publication, such a unique success.