Fairplay, one of the oldest names in maritime media, is to cease publishing by the end of this year, according to multiple sources contacted by Splash.
Fairplay was founded by Thomas Hope Robinson in the UK in 1883 with a credo to “speak out, loud and bold … for the shipowner, as an advocate, not a judge”.
In its 135-year history it has had multiple owners, and is currently held by IHS Markit, which also publishes the Journal of Commerce.
Splash understands both the web title and the magazine will be folded with the last issue of Fairplay magazine due to print in the first week of December.
“I’m sad to see the killing of a publication to which so many staff, over 135 years, dedicated their labour and which spawned a Fairplay ‘family’,” commented Neil Wiese, a former managing editor of the British title.
Fairplay’s publisher has yet to reply to questions sent by Splash earlier today.
Big news for #maritime community and #journalism and very sad to hear: @ihsfairplay the global maritime magazine that kicked off my career in maritime journalism and many others is being closed down after more than 135 years.
— Michelle Wiese Bockmann (@Michellewb_) September 26, 2018
“The captains and the kings depart,
On dune and headland sinks the fire”.
“Recessional”, Rudyard Kipling
The end of “Fairplay” is a sad event for the shipping industry. My thanks to the writers who made it a “must read” throughout my 50 years in the marine industry.
Where big corporate parents (read between the lines- “events” or “data” are the primary biz) take over organizations that are publishing maritime magazines, sadly- the old style print publications become highly vulnerable.