John Faraclas
The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) finally gained four points and this breathing space might, repeat, might prove vital… but still we are far away from the 2,247 points of of 31 Dec 2017, still a 770 points gap. Geopolitics might get sour as beyond the “usual” war between blocks and alliances we have now, as you have seen/read briefly yesterday, the Paradise Papers… What another palaver… What a laugh… What a “mess”… What a “tit for tat”… I am now enjoying myself listening to Guns N’ Roses’ …. “Paradise City”, and …why not after all… it will be interesting to see the end result from these new “leaks”… John Faraclas’ briefing…:
The Capers’ BCI, the main driver of volatility and indeed of uncertainty of the Dry Market, gained 57 points and now reads 3,101 points…
The Panamaxes’ BPI lost nine points and our most favourite size feels the pressure at 1,558 points.
Losses for the Supras’ BSI; with minus 13 points and reading 988 – losing also the 1,000 point threshold, it creates another point of concern… caution…
The Handies were also down, but just a bit – only three points and the BHSI now stands at 658 points completing an otherwise worrying picture…
The Wets once again with mixed feelings; the last published BDTI (Dirties) and BCTI (Cleans) stood at 820 – minus 23, and 542 – plus two points respectively…
The WTI, as these lines are being written stands at US$ 54.30 – still over and above the safety limit of US$ 50 – the security level for the masses and it might trigger unwanted revolts; caution!
The Geopolitical front remains more than an enigma for the masses including the 99,99 centum of shipping entities… You see, and do please check it, there isn’t any coherent risk assessment lesson in the curriculum in all Planet’s Ocean’s Unis on Geopolitical Risks and how one tackles same protecting shipping’s (Shipowners’ interests), in the same way that none of the World’s Universities teaches you how to get over a crisis and conversely protect the Shipping Companies’ vested interests and survival… Add that many companies employ personnel that haven’t been at sea – men and women hence they shouldn’t complain about the losses… Everybody MUST go on board: brokers, bankers and lawyers, the lot – end of the story!
All major issues remain the same with our prognosis saying that things will go worse!
The Migrants, the “last” phase in the Wars in Syria, Iraq against ISIS and the dozens of other functions. Let’s see what the forthcoming meeting between Putin and Erdogan produces…
…the comments are yours
Turkey as always the most destabilizing factor in the region and beyond…Caution, caution, caution! Turkey is the opposite of Peace today and the major powers, including NATO and the EU should be careful as their apathy might bring many down to their knees… Turkey’s expansionist and religious policy through manipulation and blackmail must end forthwith, or else… No one can accept the falsification of history; I wasn’t surprised to see during the current World Travel Market how they consider and present in the most misrepresented way St. Sophia and other issues as if they are theirs since existed. Needless to say the morphoma of the so called Republic of North Cyprus… which is allowed to have a stand. Shame…
Greece and mainly the Greek people are going through dire straits… You see there is a tentative need for “corrections” in the European Union and these MUST take place immy, otherwise, chaos and havoc will govern. The European Bank, let’s call it that way, and its treatment of its poorer members and more specifically those in the south, indeed reveals the uncaring corruption of this financial institution and moreover European politics. It is not anymore a common secret as its treatment on the “Greek debt” issue is indefensible… It used tactics and means of a back street money lender to impose self-serving conditions that were known to be distressing. As you read these lines the Geek people are suffering greatly to its hands….
The Balkans might soon be on fire.,.
There is an unease and conspicuous silence on Ukraine vis-à-vis what takes place there in the east and what’s up finally in Crimea…
Spain lives the syndrome of Catalonia and we eagerly await to see the final verdict of both the Spanish people and that of the European Union.
BREXIT proceeds further and personally I don’t envisage major hiccups; the British public will go through, one way or another. It is the Continentals so to speak that have the problem… Time will tell soon for all… Meantime the Details of the government’s post-Brexit trade policy have been published. The Trade Bill’s provisions include some provisions for Britain to implement existing European Union trade agreements and ensure companies can still access foreign government contracts in the tune of GBP 1.3 trillion (US$ 1.7 trillion). Meantime, I guess Priti Patel, UK’s international development secretary, is on the way out.. given her “naive” actions… with respect certain meetings with Israeli officials…
At the other side of the Atlantic the Trump administration is faced with many issues; the domestic ones are obviously the surge of the Democrats in two states. Abroad and following his visit in South Korea he’s now ready to spell it out to the Chinese tomorrow! The North Korean sage will soon be resolved…
In South America watch-out the Bolivian election; Evo Morales’ supports urge him for a fourth term…
In Nicaragua people are concerned what happened with the USA’s decision to end the current protection status, otherwise Nicaraguans must find another alternative lawful immigration status or leave the USA…
At the stand of the North East Aegean islands; Maria Kova, Ioannis A. Syrakis – both from Chios and Dimitris G. Kyriazis from Samos
On another note today we had the second day of a very successful World Travel Market in London’s ExCel Exhibition Centre. A full day for thousands of visitors.
An interesting 2017 Industry Report where one can discover key findings from the WTM London Exhibition floor; findings from 1,000 UK holidaymakers; Opinions from the Travel Industry and all the latest travel tends!
Did a three hours walk and I can assure you all stands, particularly the national ones were full of visitors like never before. Our survey reveals that all nations spend quite a considerable amount towards promotion. A very special theme this year is that of the Island Nations; Indonesia, Greece and the Philippines being the leaders. The United Kingdom as the host Nation proved possibly one of the best destinations and that enhances the post-BREXIT era..
Let’s see what will be the result for next year; we will revert with a recap soon – as soon as we have figures and statistics from the organisers…
HFW’s Jonathan Webb introducing the panel
Afterwards we were lucky to attend the London Shipping Law Centre’s forum at Holman Fenwick Willans’ auditorium on “The Robot” over your shoulder: technology’s very positive contribution to dispute resolution chaired by Richard Tromans, founder of “Artificial Lawyer” and TromansConsulting. Speakers included the very eloquent Thushani Lawson, head of research for Professional Services, Deloitte UK; Jim Cashman, partner and Master Mariner with the hosts HFW and Captain Peter J McArthur, MNM, CMMA, Younger Brother of Trinity House & director of Northwest Interaction Ltd.
Will revert soon with a full write-up!
Tonia Vassilopoulou-Tsaoussis
Lastly we just managed to attend the presentation of Tonia Vassilopoulou-Tsaoussis’ book “Suite Home Escape”. Despite the many events at the British capital and rain, a full house at the Century Club’s first floor auditorium applauded the author. The book and its author were presented by the eloquent Olga Kefalogiannis, MP, Greece’s former Minister of Tourism. All the proceeds will go towards the causes of Elpida Youth in order to support the psychological wellbeing of children suffering from neoplastic diseases. A book for every coffee-table, a book you just can’t …escape from. Indeed travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer and Suite Homes Escape is the collection of unique accommodation suggestions and tips for the discerning traveller. As Anny Zade mentioned, a book we at allaboutshipping.co.uk much appreciate for its contents and style/pictures included, given the many trips all over Planet Ocean covering events and creating news! A great event thanks to the efforts and had work of Sofia Konstantopoulou-Papadopoulos and her team.
A full house at the Century Club
We spotted the Greek Ambassador and Mrs. D. Karamitsos Tziras, the former Greek Ambassador in the United Kingdom and Mrs. D. Gounaris, Liza Evert, Chysanthi P. Lemos, John Makris and his wife, Soula Moraiti, the president of the Lyceon ton Ellinidon with former president Pyghi N. Skinitis, Ledia Pateras, Sofia Niotis, Katerina Skandali-Jeffrey, Toula Fyrilla…
Olga Kefalogiannis
There was Makis Peppas, Naya Boltetsou, Evelyn Stefanakis, Anna Kaparaki – in a big day given her academic results top mark, Dr. Kiki Sonidou, Janaina Joanna Baxevanis de Almeida, Faye Petrova from the St. George Lycabettus Boutique Hotel and many many others. Pleased to see so many young people too; excellent!
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At the same at London’s Hellenic Centre, FYE – For Your Event, run by fellow compatriot Thomas Politis produced a great and unique in its kind exhibition of aerial photographs “Mythical Peloponnese: As seen by the Gods” complementing the World Travel Market’s presence of the Peloponnesos region. We will revert with more on this event which aims to offer visitors in Greece’s southern mainland region the chance and opportunity to discover the picturesque, inspired and mythical landscape of the Peloponnese through this series of artistic aerial photographs…
That’s all for tonight and once again we remind and urge you to be on guard from any eventuality emanating from Pirates and Terrorists wherever you are on Planet Ocean.
