#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene, where shipping and port activity rose up 11% in the second quarter of 2013 when compared to the corresponding period of 2012.

Five European ports; Antwerp, Cartagena, Dover, Livorno and Olso have been selected for the shortlist of the European Sea Port Organisation's (ESPO) Award on Societal Integration of Ports.

Europe's Short-Sea operators are predicted by Dutch consultancy Bloem Doze Nienhuis to have another six years of struggle before returning to profitability by 2020.

Following the demise of Huelin Renouf Shipping in August, a new UK based company is planning to replace the freight service between the Channel Islands by operating an Irish-flagged cargoship.