The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) lost three points as the Supras tumbled… Geopolitics remain the same and only Tourism sends a glimpse of hope… John Faraclas’ brief daily recap:
So at 1,473 points the BDI remains still an enigma as to what comes next…
The Capers’ BCI was up eight points at 3,044 enjoying the much needed security the 3,000 points offers these rather
strange days…
The Panamaxes too on the “up”; the BPI gained five points and now reads 1,567 points…
The Supras’ fall saw the BSI 13 points down to 1,001 points – might go even further down…
The Handies’ BHSI lost three points and now stands at 661 points…
Not a nice nor a promising picture, enigmatic as mentioned above and same can have ups and downs without much notice. This is an uncertain and unstable market and caution is advised. FYI we are 774 points apart from the 31st of Dec. 2013 closing (2,247 points)…These are nearly four very crucial years for all, a very uncertain market which of course picked up from the absolute low of 290 points (10th of Feb.2016) to above the 1,500 a couple of times in August and September, but still lucks steam and sustainability.
The Wets once again with mixed feelings; the last published BDTI (Dirties) and BCTI (Cleans) stood at 843 points – down 12 and 544 – up five respectively…
The WTI stood just above the US$ 54 and still this dangerous as it affects the masses, the poor masses all over Planet Ocean… Caution…
All Geopolitical issues remain as per last Friday’s recap with the Migrants, the Wars in the Middle East – not just against ISIS, but it seems it is all against all – proxy wars, religious and economic ones and we believe this long lasting situation might trigger an all-out war engulfing also the entire periphery…
BREXIT and other issues within the UK and its foreign policy continue…
Greece’s and Turkey’s situation: pretty much the same…
On another tone now we had the opening this morning of the World Travel Market at London’s ExCel Centre– a day designated mainly for the press, media as well as for the travel professionals from around the world. As the leading global event for the travel industry, everyone was here for the same reason; to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals! At the WTM Inspire Theatre earlier on, Susie Ellis, the Chairman & CEO Global Wellness Institute talked on “The Future of Wellness Travel” a half-trillion-dollar market and where same is heading…
At the WTM Leaders’ Lunch, which took place at the Platinum Suite 3 and 4, Guy Verhofstadt, leading MEP and former Prime Minister of Belgium, headlined this prestigious gathering of 200 of the travel industry’s most senior leaders. His thoughts on BREXIT and travel is that same will be good in this transition period.
Greek Ministress of Tourism Elena Kountoura gave an excellent speech and recap of Greece’s success and future promising expectations at the Press Centre’s Auditorium.
IMIF and Maritime London’s seminar – before IMIF’s annual dinner, at the Devonshire Suite was more than interesting. “The Effects of E-Commerce on Shipping” attracted over 50 delegates/guests. This seminar was held as part of the 42nd IMIF Annual Dinner in association with Maritime London.
After Alan McCarthy’s Welcome and introduction of the moderator Julian Clark, the seminar kicked-off. Julian Clark took the podium introducing the event and the speakers. His preamble was on “The impact of digitalisation in Shipping”. The global head of Shipping at Hill Dickinson stressed the fact that “Only through evolution do we reach revolution” as well as the “exciting and ground breaking times” we live in…
Then come Soren Mayer, the Chief strategy and transformation officer at Maersk Tankers, a company of about 160 tankers, who talked on “How Maersk Tankers adopting digital technologies”. Looking to the future he mentioned that “…if tanker company strategy uses data to make more strategic decisions” this is good and one needs leadership in the market and also to know how to run pools for other owners…
He also mentioned that “…digital tanker connected all vessels globally with internet…”
Nicholas Berry partner a Norton Rose Fulbright said that: “Change has never been this quick and will never be as slow again”. His contribution was on “The role of technology in the marine insurance value chain”
Finally, James Johnston senior dry analyst at Braemar ACM talked on “Technology in the Chartering Market”
Big data AIS ship tracking can look at voyages and trade flows and use that to make better decisions…
An interesting Q&A session followed…with seven questions, amongst them were those by Sue Terpilowski, Bridget Hogan and Anna Kaparaki who’s thesis, coincidentally was on this very issue!
The 42nd IMIF Annual Dinner was also a great success. This year the dinner was in association with Maritime London and the chosen charity is closely connected to them; The Maritime London Officer Cadet Scholarship (MLOCS), which is a charity which provides the funds to enable young people to undertake the training required to become a Merchant Navy deck, engine or electro-technical officer. Therefore please donate generously to this worthy cause.
Excellent food and drinks, interesting people as always and this year we had some very unique speeches by the Transport Minister, the Rt Hon John Hayes – what an account that was as well as we admired his confidence, and rightly so on London retaining its position now and after BREXIT as the World’s premier maritime centre; Lord Jeffrey Mountevans, Peter Stokes and Otto Norland – his speech was more than food for thought with respect the shipfinance market…
Archbishop Gregorius of Thyatira and Great Britain blessed the dinner; he is one of the many staunch supporters of this event.
Amongst the many friends seated in our table were Maria Esta Bobadilla, Paul and Maria Dixon, John Gauci-Maistre, Ken McLean and his wife Norma, and good to meet and have with us Francesco Bentivengna from Studio Legale Lauro and Daijiro Mizushima from the Japanese Shipowners’ Association as well as Greeks Dr. Evelyn Stefanakis and Anna Kaparaki.
The Greek Shipping Community as always in full force: Spyros M. Polemis of Seacrest Shipping, John Platsidakis, the head of INTECARGO and Angelicoussis Shipping Group; Dr. Kostas Gkonis, Secretary-general of Intercargo; Yiannis Calogeras from the Bureau Veritas, George Demetriades from the Cyprus High Commission – Shipping/Transport division, Michael Kotsapas from Union Maritime, Kostas Ladas from LISCR (UK) Ltd, and many others – nearly thirty!
Glad to meet and talk with very eloquent Lord Ambrose Greenway, John Noble and his wife Katherine, Nick Brown and Lizzy Blues from Bureau Veritas, Peter Stokes, Rhys Clift, Anil Deshpande, Michael Grey, Bob Jaques, Rob Lomas, Michael Parker from Citi, Jeremy Penn, Janet Porter, Nicola Good, David Osler, Jean Richards, Eric Shawyer, Tony Vlasto… and more than pleased to see Philippa Wright in her new role with IMIF.
Lastly it was good to observer that guests donated generously to the worthy cause in support of MLOCS!
Will revert with a full report on this event as we do same for over twenty years. Once again excellent organisation skills by Victoria Mott, greatly supported by Olga Jaques from Maritime London and all IMIF’s Management Council*.
That’s all for tonight and as always be on guard for any eventuality emanating from Pirates and Terrorists wherever you are on Planet Ocean!
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* Harry Theochari, Alan McCarthy, Michael Parker, Peter Stokes, Christoph Toepfer, Lambros Varnavides and Philippa Wright.