The book covers every aspect of shipping, taking the reader through manning, safety, training, navigation and communications; it covers classification and insurance, international conventions and maritime law; it looks at ports, workboats, cranes and dry docks, as well as pilots and agents.
The author discusses charter parties and contracts of affreightment, shipbroking and vessel vetting, and at the main costs, such as manning, maintenance, insurance and bunkering. He covers sale and purchase, new building and scrapping, as well as ownership structures, mortgages and public and private ownership issues. Not forgotten are the engines and propellers, speed and efficiency, emissions regulations and pollution.

Nigel Draffin has been involved in shipping for almost 50 years and with the commercial bunker market for over 25 years. He is a founder member of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) and has served several times on its council of management and executive board and has served as Chairman. Nigel is Director of the Oxford Bunker Course and the Oxford Bunker Course (Advanced), a member of the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology and Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers. He is also Senior Broker and Technical Director of US-based bunker broker LQM Petroleum Services.