The shipping industry faces lean times or worse over the next few years, industry experts said at a round table discussion. "I don't see any fat times ahead. I see lean times and perhaps famine," said Alexandros Kedros, a director of Greek company Halkidon Shipping. "It will not be easy... the ability to create assets (ships) will continue to undermine ability to earn a good return on operating those assets," said Peter Stokes head of research at investment bank Lazard Capital Markets. Stokes said most of the shipping industry was not large enough to attract public financial backing and was unable to make adequate returns on capital in the bulk and container sectors.