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20 Interesting Facts about the Shipping Industry

1. The shipping industry is a huge business. In total it is responsible for about 90% of trade all over the word. This is a huge number when you consider exactly how much trade takes place in a daily basis on our planet.
2. The shipping industry is the backbone of the global economy. When you stop to think about it if the shipping industry was not as effective as it is we would be deprived of products that come from the other side of the world.
3. Without the shipping industry it would be impossible for raw materials and other goods to be transported. The end result would be that some places in the world would have to do without products that they have come to depend on.
4. The ships in the industry are very high tech. There is a ton of research and development done on these ships in order to get them operating at a level where they are fully functional and effective.
5. The largest and most hi tech ships can cost over 200-million dollars to build. When you think about it in these terms you can rally see why the shipping industry is so valuable. Simply put, there is a lot of money put into it.
6. Many companies depend on jobs created by the shipping industry as a way to boost their economies. If the shipping industry went under there would be thousands of jobs lost all over the world.
7. The people that build the different vehicles that carry out the shipping process are highly educated and experienced professionals. To get into the design and manufacture of these massive vehicles you must have some knowledge.
8. Shipping is the safest form of cargo transport. There are rarely incidents when cargo gets lost or misplaced in high numbers. This helps to easy the mind of people that import and export the different products.
9. In terms of the environment, shipping is fairly friendly. They shipments are made with logistics in mind as to eliminate the excessive use of fuel as well as the harmful impact that it could have on the environment.
10. There is not much physical risk to the workers. In other words, being involved in the shipping industry is safe as compared to other types of employment. There are a very few things that can put you in danger of bodily harm.
11. The commitment to safety is obvious as there are international safety standards in regard to system. This universal set of standards ensures that the people in the industry are well protected at all times.
12. The shipping industry is regulated by the United Nations. Just the fact that the UN is involved tells you how big of a business this is. The UN is involved with things such as safety as well as trade routes.
13. The International Maritime Organization has put out a system that can be followed in order to further ensure safety. These standards are useful as they allow you to further protect the workers as well as the precious cargo.
14. The environment has improved recently because of the safety standards that are set in place. They help to eliminate waste and force shippers to abide by strict guidelines that govern them.
15. There is no marine pollution from humans in the shipping industry. Simply put, shipping does not damage the ocean or any of the creatures that call it home. This has become a point of emphasis over the past few years.
16. Oil spills have been all but eliminated over the past few years due to strict rules and regulations. Shippers all over the world have made a concerted effort to eliminate the amount of oil that is lost at sea.
17. The shipping industry has streamlined its processes over the past fifteen years with a focus on efficiency and timeliness. This ensures that shipments arrive on time while maximizing space on the vessels.
18. Practices such as crude oil washing are key in the reduction have contributed greatly to the reduced amount of pollution over the last several years. This practice is responsible for limiting the amount of oil that is accidently leaked into the ocean during the shipping process.
19. The advancement in technology that has made it easier to separate oil from water has made removing oil from the ocean an easier and more effective process. In short, it is now possible to clean up the mess if there is a small, or substantial, oil spill out in the middle of the ocean.
20. As of 2010, there were more than 50,000 ships that made up the worldwide shipping fleet. This large number of ships means that there is more possibility for negative environmental impact. However, it also means that it is easier and faster to make shipments to different places all over the globe.

Rand works in Shipping industry where he supervises the handling of material using forklifts , overhead cranes , reach stackers and lot more.

Top 10 Walking Trails In Australia

Hundreds of walking trails sprawl all over Australia, embracing magnificent natural vistas along their serpentine routes. These walking trails are probably the best way to enjoy the spectacular natural offerings of Australia. Check out these top 10 walking trails in Australia and choose where to go.

1. OLD TIMBERLINE, PERTH

The Old Timberline Trail is 22 kilometers long, located towards the south of Perth. The walk will take you a day’s cycling or two days of walking to cover in totality. The trail was originally used to remove logs from the nearby jarrah forest via rail and road. This trail is a bushwalker’s paradise, with hilly parts interloping with narrow sections, strewn with spectacular scenery.

2. BIBBULMUN TRACK, PERTH

Starting from the Kalamunda in the Perth hills, this walk trail stretches for nearly 1000 kilometers to the town of south coast town of Albany. You can experience two different stays: with 48 campsites, enjoy a multi-week camping trip, or stay at a quaint rural town. The wide open spaces guarantee spectacular views, deep gorges, tranquil rivers, quaint roads, forests, rich flora and fauna of the vast bio diverse Karri forest and pristine white beaches.

3. PENGUIN ISLAND NATURE PARK TRAIL, MELBOURNE

You’ll find the world’s largest colony of Little, or Fairy Penguins on this charming island. The walk trail begins from the Penguin Experience Island Discovery Centre, from where you explore the island along the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. Use your spare time to snorkel, swim, and surf or wind surf the wild waters of the ocean. The island is a bird sanctuary, and tourists are expected to walk only on demarcated trails and beaches.

4. THE LUKE PEN WALK, W.A.

This is a beautiful walk trail that follows the Kalgan River, where you can experience varied flora ranging from farming pastures to large marri trees. Enjoy fabulous views along the 4-hour long trail, till you arrive at the flying kookaburra shelter. Even though it’s a relatively short walk, the changing river views, the vineyards, grazing cattle, green pastures and the verdant eucalyptus bushland will keep you charmed. If you are lucky, you can spot several rare birds and animal species.

5. EAGLE’S VIEW WALK, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

This circuit walk around John Forrest National Park offers great views across the Swan Coastal Plain to Perth city and the ocean in the distance. The 15 kilometer Eagle’s View Walk trail passes through different kinds of vegetation such as open mixed jarrahmarri-wandoo forest, wandoo woodlands and health lands.

6. NANCY’S PEAK, S.A.

Nancy’s Peak is a 23 kilometer long walk from Mount Barker in the Great Southern region to the main peak of the Porongurup Ranges. On the trail you have many lovely moss-covered granite rocks, through which you can get glimpses of the Stirling Ranges and the southern sea. The trail continues over several peaks before entering the pass between Devils Slide and Nancy’s Peak.

7. MOUNT MATILDA WALK TRAIL, W.A.

The Mount Matilda Walk Trail is a magnificent trail that follows abundant natural bushland, where you pass through undulating wheat fields, getting an eyeful of over 1300 wildflower species and rocky outcrops. Matilda is the highest peak in the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu ranges. You can get a great view of the Lake Hinds and the wheat fields, since the trails traverse the western side of the Mount Matilda mesa.

8. BLUFF KNOLL, W.A.

Bluff Knoll, the third highest peak in Western Australia is also located on the Stirling Range National Park. This 1095 meter above sea level peak was formed over 1000 years ago. Bushwalkers have a great array of sights to enjoy on this trail, such as abundant birdlife, wildlife, magnificent landscapes, geological formations, views of the Stirling Ranges and reptiles.

9. LESUEUR WALK TRAIL, PERTH

Spectacular views to the Indian Ocean and fabulous land formations await the bushwalker at the top of Mount Lesueur on this trail. If you love wildflowers, around 820 species of hard to find wildflower plants are waiting to greet you here. The trail is located in the Lesueur National Park, three hours by car to the north of Perth, Western Australia. The first 250 meters of this trail are suitable for wheelchair and pram access, owing to the bituminized state of the earth.

10. GORGE RIM WALK

The Karijini National Park offers a great delight to the devoted bushwalker – Gorge Rim Walk trail that traverses the rim of the Dales Gorge hills. You’re sure of enjoying the thrill of high drops, peering out to glimpse the spectacular scenery from the Circular Pool Lookout to where the Fortescue Falls track begins. For a greater challenge, walk the steep trail to the floor of the gorge to visit the fern-lined, crystal clear waters of the Circular Pool, surrounded by deep gorges.

Stacey writes for an Australian company offering large selection of presents for men from rally driving to skydiving, off road racing to hot air ballooning and lot more.

The World’s Most Valuable Brand’s 2011

The top ten brands by share of company earnings driven by brand identity have recently been concluded in a study. Apple has finally succeeded in knocking Google off from the No.1 position it held for over 4 years.

Apple the company which has transformed the music industry, reivented the personal computer and created the world famous tablet computer occupies the top slot, with a rise of 84 % increase from last year.

Google had to settle in second place, followed by IBM and McDondalds. Although Microsoft gained 2% this year but have never been the same after Bill Gates has taken to his social causes.

At No. 6 the world famous soft drink Coca Cola continues to enjoy its brand equity. AT&T enjoys its market place at 7th place, while smoking may be injurious to health however the Marlboro hangs in the top ten with international acceptance.

The only chinese company due to sheer growth manages to steer itself into ninth position. No list would be complete without General Electric being included in the top ten.

In following years many chinese companies will be pressing hard at American companys heels to fight their way into the top league. The most pressing brands yet to make it this year will be Facebook followed by Baidu (The Chinese version of Google).

Louis Vuitton is the most valuable Luxury brand for the sixth consecutive year. Amazingly for the first time in the ratings history Walmart has been knocked off the top retail slot by Amazon.

The Top Paid Actors of 2010

The list has been compiled by Forbes Magazine for the year 2010

The world may be in recession but the stars continue to rack in the Millions

The top earner for the year was none other than Johnny Depp featuring in the 3-D update of Alice in Wonderland and The Tourist.

Here is the list of top 20 Actors and Actresses for the year.

$ in Mln

1. Johnny Depp (75)
2. Sandra Bullock (56)
3. Ben Stiller (53)
4. Tom Hanks (45)
5. Adam Sandler (40)
6. Reese Witherspoon (32)
7. Cameroon Diaz (32)
8. Leonardo DiCaprio (28)
9. Jennifer Aniston (27)
10. Sarah Jessica Parker (25)
11. Daniel Radcliffe (25)
12. Robert Downey Jr. (22)
13. Tom Cruise ( 22)
14. Julia Roberts (20)
15. Angelina Jolie (20)
16. Brad Pitt (20)
17. George Clooney (19)
18. Drew Barrymore (15)
19. Merly Streep (13)
20. Kristen Stewart (12)