In a commentary, SMU postgraduate law candidate Lynn Kan provided a layman's guide to the shipping industry. She noted that a basic understanding about merchant shipping can give insight on the trajectory of the recovery of world trade, consumption patterns of commodities, and the dynamics of one of China's core economic drivers, its shipbuilders. Lynn added that the recovery of the shipping industry has been uncertain and sluggish. The volatility of shipping stock prices and their quarterly performance have spooked many investors. Yet, considering that mercantile shipping has had unbelievable longevity in trade, the headwinds are ultimately transient.