The Great Recession Gothic goes aquatic in this account of a weird merchant marine. Ship after ship empty, floating without crews, in economic limbo.
the biggest and most secretive gathering of ships in maritime history. Their numbers are equivalent to the entire British and American navies combined; their tonnage is far greater. Container ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers - all should be steaming fully laden between China, Britain, Europe and the US, stocking camera shops, PC Worlds and Argos depots ahead of the retail pandemonium of 2009. But their water has been stolen.
It's a hidden fleet, curiously kept away from the global economic crisis of confidence.
The world's ship owners and government economists would prefer you not to see this symbol of the depths of the plague still crippling the world's economies.
Simon Parry's story is melancholy, projecting gloom into the future:
...These empty ships should be carrying Christmas over to the West. All retailers will have already ordered their stock for the festive season long ago.
(many thanks to the hordes of kind folks who forwarded me this)
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