John Faraclas
The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) clinched earlier on today 22 points thanks to the volatility governing the Capes… Geopolitics are about to produce global chaos… John Faraclas’ brief recap:
The BDI now reads 1,077 points – plus 22 thanks as said above to the Capes… All other indices fell amid raised eyebrows..
The Capes’ BCI was up 120 points (from an 83 points fall yesterday) and now stands at 1,868. Caution… Mind me we hope and pray that the market improves for the benefit of all stakeholders, but… one size cannot constitute or dictate a or the market !
The Panamaxes’ BPI lost 34 points and now stands at 1,045…
Losses for the Supras and Handies; the BSI was down 26 points at 729… The BHSI down 17 at 466 – very critical levels…
All in all the gap between the end of Dec 2013 and today remains big: 1,170 points (2,247 minus 1,077) – reality bites!
The Wets with mixed feelings; the last published BDTI (Dirties) and BCTI (Cleans) stood at 899 – minus 21 and 665 – plus 10 respectively…
The WTI ended up after a mini …rally at US$ 52.05 – during the first upload same stood at US$ 51.44… CAUTION!
Percentage of vessels laid up in each region by ship type
Herebelow VesselsValue‘s Head of Offshore Robert Day is sharing his analysis of the offshore industry from a global perspective.
Global offshore layups
The definition of ‘laid up’ used in this context: ‘Estimating the number of vessels in layup is an imperfect science, however, using a big data approach VesselsValue can provide a valid estimation using the following methodology. VV observes the recency of a vessel’s AIS signal and filters the data appropriately. Vessels that have not signalled for over a week are considered to be in layup.’
It is no secret that the Offshore sector is suffering. Through observing the figures, we can see that some areas are experiencing more layup that others. The worst of the market seems to be in South East Asia, where layup is at more than 36% in each subtype. More unexpectedly though, the US Gulf is closely following S.E.A in terms of layup consistency. The Middle East and West Africa regions are in a similar state and least surprisingly North West Europe remains the leading region globally.
Sentiment may change but the figures are what matters and will truly determine the speed and likelihood of a full offshore market recovery.
The Geopolitical situation – which greatly affects Trade and Transport and conversely Shipping, gets more perplexed with the European Union and Europe in general amid Homeric dire straits.
The MIGRANTS maintain the lead of all issues… Shame!
Caution with BREXIT and the Balkans as well as with the Trade Wars, the Russian attempts in the Balkans, the faulty line Gib to Afghanistan and Caucuses to the Horn of Africa…
The Shutdown in the USA causes even more discontent beyond the US’s frontiers… Ah! Greece too might soon face major dilemmas….
What a welcome that was in Belgrade for Russia’s Putin! Accusing the West and in particular the USA and EU on all Balkans issues… He’s too concerned on Kosovo and fYroM; we shall see what he’s up to in the tinderbox of Europe!
From the Vassilopitta process with Archbishop Gregorios in the middle reading psalms
On another tone and note GSCC’s (Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee’s) annual Vassilopitta event at the Baltic Exchange surpassed any previous years attendance!
Over 200 members, friends and guests enjoyed this traditional event. Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain officiated and cut the cake!
Once again we had an excellent speech by the Chairman of GSCC, the very eloquent Harry J. Fafalios – will upload same in due course.
Harry J. Fafalios delivering his speech – to his right Nisrat Ghani, the British Minister for Shipping, IMO’s SG Kitack Lim and the Greek Ambassador
The British minister for Shipping Nusrat Ghani also delivered a short and to the point speech. She’s on all counts very close to the industry and in the last two encounters – Posidonia 2018 speech at the British Ambassador’s residence in Athens and in IMIF’s / Maritime London November annual dinner, she proved well aware of all issues the industry is facing!
The Secretary-general of the IMO Kitack Lim was there too heading the entire international shipping industry with all sectors’ stakeholders present not only from the Square Mile but from all over Planet Ocean.
The Greek Ambassador to the Court of St. James Dimitrios Karamitsos-Tziras – who took per custom the first piece from the Vassilopitta was there too as did the Cypriot representative at the IMO Argiris Madella.
The first winner of the sovereign Radm Rt. (HCG) Thimios E. Mitropoulos
Except shipowners, shipmanagers and shipbrokers, present were Chairmen from P and I Clubs Hugo Wynn-Williams from the UK P & I, Andrew Bardot ceo of the IGP&I, Lawyers – amongst them Costas Frangeskides and Katerina Botsini from HFW, Katerina Nomikou, Classification Societies – Nicholas Brown, Theodosis Stamatellos and Constantin Corniciuc from LR , Yiannis Calogeras from Bureau Veritas, Costas Pappadakis and Nick Roper from DNV GL, Mitsuhiko Kodogawa from ClassNK…
Associations representatives – the ever present Bridget Hogan from The Nautical Institute, Dimitris N. Monioudis from R&K and president of the HESGB accompanied by at least 15 members of the society…
Salvage expert specialists – Andreas A. Tsavliris from the Tsavliris Salvage Group who doesn’t miss an event;
Journalists and media consultants headed by Julian Bray from TradeWinds, Jonathan Saul from Thomsonreuters, Bill Spears and Katerina Dimitropoulos from NavigatePR…
Christina and Takis N. Pappas with Dimitris Monioudis
Flag Representatives – LISCR’s Costas Ladas made it! Academics and Arbitration specialist – Dr. Aleka Mandaraka-Sheppard was there – she managed to come early but left due her event at the LSLC running in parallel at Devonshire Square (see below), Dr. Nikos Nomikos from Cass Business School and students from his department were there too… George Pirinis et al !
l to r: Aggeliki Koutoulia, Costas Frangeskides, Katerina Botsini and Theodosis Stamatellos
INTERCARGO’s Secretary-General Dr. Kostas Gkonis, HELMEPA’s Dimitris Mitsatsos with his wife Christiana Prekezes, the vice president of the HSSA (Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association) and WISTA-Hellas vice president Elpida J. Petrakis with president Haralambos Simantonis – a frequent visitor at the City of London and attendee of this event, banker Aggeliki Koutoulia from Julius Baer in Luxembourg; Themis Vokos – Mr. Posidonia!!! was there and in a jovial as always mood; Jon Standerick CEO of Maritime London was there with Olga Jaques – both doing an excellent job!
…and two more winners, John M. Lyras (centre) , Philipp Darmig (right) with Panagiotis Filippidis on the left
John M. Hadjipateras president of the Oinoussian Benevolent Fund was there as well as his uncle Pandelis J. Hadjipateras and cousin John P. Hadjipateras. Constantine Is. Caroussis, Alex Xenakis, Dimitri Dragazi from the Latsis group, Petros Kontraros, Accountant specialist Rozeta Sotiri from Moore Stephens and many many others – the list wont’ end! Counted over 25 women!
The lucky punters, three …gold-diggers winning respective sovereigns – as there were three Vassilopittas, were Radm Rt. (HCG) Thimios E. Mitropoulos, IMO’s Emeritus Secretary-general, John M. Lyras and Philipp Darmig also from Lyras Financial Services!
Dr. Kostas Gkonis, Themis Vokos and Constantin Corniciouc
Congratulations to Radm (Rt HCG) Costas Amarantidis, GSCC’s general manager and Maria Syllignaki, head of the GSCC’s secretariat for their organisational skills in making the event another success. Good food – Greek meze too, and excellent wines! Ah! and very tasty and well designed Vassilopittas!
The LSLC (London Shipping Law Centre) for the Cargo Claims and Bills of Lading event at Squire, Patton and Boggs auditorium at Devonshire Square broke another record of attendance. I was lucky to find a seat half way through during the last presentation by Graham Harris from the hosts on the “Volcafe v CSAV [2018] UKSC 61”.
The event which was chaired by Timothy Young QC from 20 Essex Street included speakers Oliver Caplin from 20 Essex Street and Richard Lord QC from Brick Court Chambers.
Graham Harris at the podium delivering his speech
A few but interesting questions were aired, one of them coming from Professor Yvonne Baatz, now at Queen Mary University in London at the Humanities & Social Sciences faculty. Discussions continued at the drinks and dips reception until late…
Prof Yvonne Baatz during question time
Will revert soon with a full write up.
Have a nice evening and remain on guard from actions emanating by Pirates, Terrorists, Criminals and Business Hooligans whatsoever wherever you are on Planet Ocean…
Things are getting sour…
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Uploaded 16:31 GMT
Updated 23:55 GMT
