Daybrake start…
The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) closed 42 points higher since last Friday the 24th of March at 1,282 points. Geopolitics though continue to be marred by uncertainty and AllAboutShipping’s London team begins a short crossing to Europe from London down to Athens via France and Italy to expedite the situation prevailing in these three countries. John Faraclas and Anny Zade report:
The Capers’ BCI 2014 gained 138 points, now standing at 2,620 points and let’s watch its volatile course. We are not biased, but pragmatic. The figures will tell…
The Panamaxes were also up 35 points and the BPI reached 1,253 points – looking fairly good and on track given our positive expectations/forecast, even for the sort term…
The Supras lost a point and the BSI now reads 895…
The Handies though pleased its …fans with four points plus – BHSI now @530; not bad, as little by little they rise, even temporarily…
The Wets were down; the last published BDTI (Dirties) and BCTI (Cleans) stood at 804 – minus eight and 806 – minus one respectively. A bad start for the Wets… given the plus, the upwards mode with the Dry Indices…
The WTI was below the US$ 50 mark at US$ 47,71 and look set to remain close to this figure at closing time!
The Geopolitical situation still with the same issues: MIGRANTS, The Wars in Syria and Iraq with the ISIS still there, BREXIT’s deliberations, Turkey’s president trying his best for the YES vote – seems whatever the result that he will win the referendum, even narrowly… Greece with its problems and the Americans with the Russians engaged in strange diplomacy and action to tackle the global issue as well as their own differences… the Chinese trying to “conquer” trade…
Crossing over to the Continent
We have, as said in para one, embarked for an expedition to see what’s going on in the Continent – France, Italy and Greece with respect to Politics (elections), Tourism (much needed for all nations), Maritime Tourism (an important factor for all intents and purposes and a very important category with too many viewers here and many enthusiasts), Infrastructure (very important for intermodalism), tourism and the public’s commuting safety and pleasure and people’s views so holiday makers and business have another view… of things… Migrants…
Our first day driving from daybreak ended safely in the exceptional city of Limoges, in the southwest-central of France, an important place for tourism and a world acclaim place for ceramics, particularly for its decorated porcelain, a town with rich history too. The lovely weather helped our driving and our findings so far are – in comparison with other trips before:
a)Excellent security at the border before and after leaving the Channel Tunnel!!! We’ve noticed advance security too and we felt safer than ever before; excellent and congratulations to both the UK and French authorities, given what has happened over the past years with Migrants and Terrorists too!
DSV on the move!
b)Too many TIR’s from too many logistics companies from all over Europe, a highway competition we might say. 75 (seventy-five) percent of all vehicles were TIRs! For some of them we have referred in the past herein (DSV, DFDS Logistics, Geodis, and many others) and it was good to see them still operating. We mention this as we can see a rise in competition and during some stop-overs on the way – such as the one at Aire du Bois de Bailly were we chat the drivers and enquired on their consignment and others on the forthcoming French elections, BREXIT and other issues. Needless to mention the environmental aspects placed there on Waste Separation; a great job done and performed by Vinci Autoroutes!
Pas de Calais
c)Many reefer containers too on truck and same reminded us of the exhibitions on Intermodalism in Hamburg and other places we attended during the last five years!
Arriving in Limoges’ NOVOTEL-by-the Lake on a unique atmospheric scenery was a relief for Anny Zade following a full day’s driving. Tranquillity at its best with ducks and other …floating birds there. …and for the Basket-Ball enthusiasts – like myself, meeting with players of the Limoges – Paris Levallois game which ended with the visitors winning 76-84…. Strangely enough… the locals, when I mentioned that I originate from Greece, immy mentioned Yiannakis – who was Limoges’ coach once upon a time!!! And what a pronunciation! Panayiotis Yiannakis was one of their heroes, not just Greece’s…
The Mayor’s House at Limoges
Following a little tour viewing the Mayor’s Building, the Village de la Boucherie (The Boutcher’s village) and the medieval timber-framed houses line nearby at the Rue de la Boucherie, we ended up for dinner at Chez Alphonse restaurant at Place de la Motte – a French classic!
It is important to say that recession bytes in France… and same was evident in Limoges.
…at the Village de la Boucherie in front of Chapelle Saint-Aurélien
A quite night to recharge our batteries and get ready for our next day… having also to visit our porcelain master, the Raynaud for the traditional ceramic souvenirs…
Have a nice evening and be on guard for every eventuality from Pirates and Terrorists.
Chanté
