The November 2009 audited issue had an ABC certified average circulation of 7253, of which 62.2%, went to Europe, 24.2% to SouthEast Asia and 11.6% to the Americas.
A secondary role was to promote the British shipbuilding industry, then in a world-leading position, but coming under pressure from other nations including Germany.
Industry contributors include Tom Todd (German shipbuilding and repair), Dag Pike[13][14] (high speed and specialised vessels), Wendy Laursen, David Tinsley, Henrik Segercrantz, Eugene Gerden (Russia) Denzil Stuart and Jack Gaston[15] (tugs and towage).
The name changed after another magazine, Marine Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery, (launched in 1985 by Argus Business Media as a competitor to The Motor Ship) took the title for its own conference.
[18] Under the present ownership more conferences associated with The Motorship are planned, the latest being Gas Fuelled Ships,[19] held for the first time in October 2010 in Hamburg, and subsequently in Bergen.