The fearsome workload facing the committees and sub-committees down at Albert Embankment appears to multiply by the year, and without a noticeable increase in time or resources to deal with the burdens it is a small miracle that any of this work ever passes silently into law. But it does.

The juggernaut of regulatory progress stops for no man, vessel or economic downturn.

The prospect of more regulations, advisory notes and circulars being heaped on an industry that already feels over-burdened by legislative zeal is unlikely to fill many operators with joy — particularly given the financial burdens they now face. But this is the reality of a very necessary march towards progress.

Several significant decisions that will affect the future of the industry will be made this year from ship-recycling and emissions to training and goal based standards.

Of course, in an ideal world we would all like to stop everything, stand back and evaluate exactly what is and is not working amid the reams of existing rules and regulations.

But the political inertia of decision making means that the judicious process of technical analysis, debate and drafting is not simply going to stop.

Decisions need to be made, conferences must be held and due consideration must be given to the safe, efficient and clean running of our industry. Ultimately, that has to be the challenge and opportunity we all face.