John Faraclas
The BDI close today at 688 points – that is an 18 points plus, but… as John Faraclas explains, things are getting off-hand!
The Capers’ BCI 2014 was 81 points up at 1, 085, …”mirroring” the 18 points down of yesterday and with the 18 points up of the BDI makes it an interesting triangle theme for numerology, as 18 makes 9, the most powerful of all numbers; the number of war… to all intents and purposes! Overall the BDI was 53 points plus since last Friday the 15th of April when the index stood at 635 points. Again the volatility of the Capesize tonnage added 136 points from last week’s closing at 949 points. Shipping is on war footing over the last eight years, particularly after the collapse of the index from the 11, 793 points mark (the all times high) during Posidonia 2008 … and six months later touched the first rock-bottom of 663 points! The rest is shipping business history and the war now intensifies…
The Panamaxes and the respective BPI was down seven points and now stands at 736… but gained just nine points since last week’s 727; a steadish situation but low level, contained if I may say so…
The Supras was up seven and the BSI clocked 558 points and 33 plus since last week’s 525.
The Handies were up six at 354 points and alike the BSI’s last week’s 321 coincidentally 33 points plus…
All in all a better figure-wise week, but figures not always reflect the actual situation in the Dry Markets which is marred by bankruptcies and other unfortunate – for some and fortunate for others situations and outcome, given the fall of vessels prices… Wonder who’s going to pay the damage and what security and risk assessment barriers were there to protect various interests. Caution, as one size doesn’t constitute a health market – we repeat this very too often to ring the bell for those clever dicks that will try to capitulate on these figures mentioned above and lure the naive…
The Wets with mixed feelings, the last published BDTI and BCTI standing at 770 (that’s minus seven) and 550 (that’s plus 11) respectively! The previous week, in comparison, was on both categories, coincidentally +/- 18 respectively (788-18 / 532 +18). The number 9 reflects the 18 in all of its “warring” forms!
The price of oil, after a daily falling modus and fluctuations experienced over the last forthnight, maintained the US$ 40 plus level for the WTI. It is still early days of what is yet to come…
The newbuilding prices, with a bit of adjustments, obviously favour buyers; a unique buyer’s market, at last! The technological and ecological strides will also help the improvement and furthering of the shipbuilding industry and conversley that of shipping and the entire industry to the detriment of the hoi polloi, but on the other hand to the advantage of the few – a bit oxymoron, but a very valid point when we are going to be justified!
On the Geopolitical front now:
The Migrants despicable issue continues in Greece in full swing… I hope and pray Nemesis to strike with its worse ferocity and punish all those responsible officials and NGO’s show-off gays and dolls for putting above all the inhabitant of Greece in a dangerous and risky situation given the health issues arising from the Migrants situation. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME! (I should have mentioned EUROPE, but being …cynical, due to the EU behaviour, I don’t). The Italian “front”, as we pre-announced – and it was expected, opened up with many casualties; another shameful situation for our 2016 …humane and “caring” society and generation of under the stairs politicians. Things got worse! Turkey continues its blackmail policy and at the same time provokes the entire region and its periphery. Now let’s see who is (better say, are, as there seems many nations) “afraid” of Turkey and why? Why Turks hold all from the noise? What’s the hidden Turkish agenda and what the Turks expect the Europeans to do? The Americans MUST step in, before they see the entire region in flames, with others getting into the melee… The rmedy for Turkey is only one: Naval Blockade by the EU’s NATO forces and acid diplomacy. Good to see that the Mayor of Chios visited Greece’s president to discuss the disgusting Migrants issue… Hope a solution is found as things can go off hand…
Writing about Greece, wonder when all these scams- yes with an s at the end, end. The most important reform in Greece is the one to oust all politicians – the current ones for their inability to solve Greece’s problems and those who served in thepast and created this mess. Punishment and zero tolerance before we see worse things happening. As you read these lines, no deal yet with Greece’s creditors, mainly the EU and the IMF… Who’s micky-mousing around AND about; you need though two in a tango! The Migrants issue surfaced other problems against Greece and its people, not only from the Turkish factor – who sends purposely them en mass into Greece and conversely into Europe so as to “punish” the EU for not accepting the Turkish entry, but Greece’s northern neighbours too, particularly FYROM, must be told off… before there is an escalation under another pretext…
By the way, the Orthodox Easter Holly Week begins…
And what about the Cyprus saga? When will hypocricy gives its place to a just and viable end of the mess others inflicted upon the people there so that their projected designs will work? In the meantime the entire region’s energy problems and wealth should have been solved long ago; equally that of Greece in the Aegean!
President Obama landed in the United Kingdom during the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations – coincidence or not, he managed to make a saw of strength and influence vis-à-vis the BREXIT saga. But what if, repeat if, the People of these Islands vote for an exit? And what about the GREXIT scenario – still looming in the dark side of Greece’s Selene? Back in his country, the race for the preferred contesters to run for the White House final, intensifies…
Good to read that Cuba will allow cruise ships to come and go from the US! Changing times!
Europe will attempt once again to draw up a tax heavens list. Safe Havens is what is needed and let these populists politicians abandon all these jazz before they are exposed and face the music. Indeed a list must be drawn up, but for different reasons, to safeguard those deserving to be listed; you dead well know what I mean, as in a previous attempt this list spectacularly failed due to the “national interest” aspect involved. Nonsense!
Africa is getting messy; let’s see when the total all out proxy war will begin!
In Asia now, China and Taiwan are embroiled in a telecoms scam… Their economies aren’t that much robust either… President Xi Jinping of China becomes the head of the Chinese Armed Forces in an effort to control everything… Wonder how he will tackle the aggression from others deriving from allowing planes to land in the disputed Fiery Cross Reef artificial islands in the South China Sea…
India has still its own problems and Pakistan tries to maintain a balance with both China and India.
Refering to Asia, we must mention the state of a declining shipbuilding industry in the Far East, but personally I hope all will be rectified, provided a streamline takes place and many under-classed, so to speak shipyards, disappear; fairs fair.
A lot of tensions in Latin America and let’s hope we don’t see another mess in the region. The Panama Canal’s opening is underway and all the shipping world’s attention is there; it will be a big change for the benefit of the Panamanian people and the Americas!
The Zika virus might affect over 2 (two) billion people! As you know, its generic name comes from the Ancient Greek ἀηδής, aēdēs, meaning “unpleasant” or “odious” – this, for the greek scholars it means a lot, so be on guard, this is serious!
In the Middle East and the Syrian saga now: The fragile truce must stay in force, otherwise there will even be a total war in the entire region and its periphery. Meantime Iran is to sell 32 tonnes of heavy water to the US; a move to reduce excesses and meet Iran’s obligations… ISIS needs a good asymmetrical response and use of all means against its leaders and backers – open and hidden. We had enough… Hypocrisy must end or else!
In Russia, Putin continues to work on his agenda…
In Australia, the long election campaign has started even unofficially… A long way to go though… Meantime another virus strikes there affecting babies’ brains…
Terrorists in Europe and possibly elsewhere, will try to strike, but the authorities are working meticulously around the clock to prevent it or at best contain it. In Europe this is a must before revenge takes place leading to a far worse situation.
That’s enough though; tough, what can you suggest?
Have a nice weekend.
