The Korea Offshore and Shipbuilding Association has released numbers confirming the expectations of many analysts: the number of actively operating shipyards around the world has fallen by more than 40 percent from what it was seven years ago.

The recent bankruptcy of South Korean ocean carrier Hanjin Shipping is causing "widespread disruptions" to supply chains across the country, according to the National Retail Federation, which wants the U.S. government to step in.

The world's seventh-largest deep sea cargo transportation carrier, Hanjin Shipping, filed for court receivership - a form of bankruptcy protection - on Aug. 31. Chaos has promptly ensued in a number of markets, and it won't end any time soon, according to Ashley Cruz, IBIS World Procurement Research Analyst.

Research in the design and development of fully autonomous and unmanned merchant vessels could reduce human error and provide financial savings through crew salaries and the omission of crew accommodation. However, these vessels, monitored from land, will require high-quality and reliable communication systems between the unmanned ship and shore. The communication systems are critical for safety and security and will come at a high cost.

Despite many adversities for the maritime sector over the last year, seaborne perishable reefer trade increased in 2015 -- and is forecast to grow further still in 2016. By 2020, seaborne reefer cargo will reach a staggering 120 million tonnes, increasing by an average of 2.5 percent per annum, according to the latest edition of the Reefer Shipping Market Review and Forecast 2016/17, published by global shipping consultancy Drewry.