John Faraclas
The Markets: put up or shut up…
With the BDI still under the 500 points threshold and despite logical optimism that same might rise around Posidonia 2020 in the region of at least 1,500 points, things might turn sour. We are witnessing a Market catastrophe coupled with just a few but powerful parameters / components, a major disaster and we have to remember that in some disasters there is no escape – if there is one, that’s for the very very very few. There is much to be gained from the study of catastrophes particularly in the Shipping Industry but we must all learn and never ever do it again. Coronavirus is also causing mess and same might be problematic for all.- John Faraclas’ daily and weekly Market and Geopolitical recap:
The BDI gained 17 points since yesterday and now stands at 497; on a weekly basis same was up 75 points from Valentine’s Day when it stood at 425…
The Capes’ BCI still at …freezing levels. The BCI gained six points since yesterday and now stands at minus 226; the weekly “gains” stood at 68 points – from minus 294 on 14 Feb 2020…
The Panamaxes, the only size which “survived” the total destruction, gained 32 points with the BPI now standing at 787 – over and above the 700 points. The weekly gains were 151 points – up from 636 last Friday…
The Supras’ BSI was up 19 points and now reads 524 – good to see the 500 points conquered as last week same stood at 470 – up 54 points in total.
Modest gains, but gains for the Handies’ BHSI regaining the 300 points threshold – now at 304, plus six. The weekly gains 13 – up from 291!!
So all in all: still a very low dry market and let’s see how this post New Year and post Chinese New Year ultra-low changes… Again, one size, like now the Panamaxes cannot dictate or create a market… CAUTION.
The Wets with mixed feelings; the last published BDTI (Dirties) and BCTI (Cleans) stood at 865 minus five and 689 – minus 11 points respectively. On a weekly basis the Wets remained unchanged but the Cleans gained 21 points – up from the 668 recorded last week. Still CAUTION.
The WTI fell 50 cents since yesterday and now stands at US$ 53.38. Same was US$ 1.07 higher since the 14th of Feb when it stood at US$ 52.05… Too high and need to see same below the UDS$ 49.99 mark…
Coronavirus begins to bite and let’s see where we are heading. One question bothering all is whether the figures on the Coronavirus cases we are given by the authorities all over Planet Ocean are correct, the deaths too… CAUTION as if we have an epidemic this might turn to a nasty pandemic. For sure the precautions we read means there is a danger. Keep calm, clean and follow the instructions.
The World Trade and all means of transport have been affected. The Container trade counts losses which might turn to colossal ones… The Cruise Industry’s imminent future is in question. Many Conferences have been postponed and new dates given; C A U T I O N!!!
Ships need drydockings, repairs and valid certificates and many other works which have been affected particularly in China and the majority of the FEAST! Authorities have to act with understanding and pragmatism!!!!
The Geopolitical spectrum got worse. The MIGRANTS as we have numerous times said will blow up many countries and expect a social upturn particularly in Greece’s Eastern Aegean Islands – mainly in Lesvos, Chios, Samos. The Greek government once again is being betrayed from both the European Union and NATO given Turkey’s blackmail behaviour. Expect messy situations. It’s not the MIGRANTS from war-torn Syria, its MIGRANTS from as far as Afghanistan and the Sub-Saharan counties, not just from North Africa. A big SHAME to the moron of Brussels and their accomplices.
No change for the faulty zone from Gib to Afghanistan and from the Caucuses to the Horn of Africa!
Turkey stirs up the Balkans, Central and East Med. When the shit hits the fan wonder what the excuse will be in the air this time. The Libyan mess will spread…
The Middle East too is in a total mess. The inferno in Syria continues… Russia there as well as in other pars of the Globe has its own agenda…
The USA’s election campaign gets fast under way for dooms day …err the 3rd of November, two days before Guy Fawkes’Night, the 5th of November 2020!!!
Bad weather and other weather phenomena create mess all over… Australia was badly hit!!
The Global economy is in red US$ 257 trillions; any remedy to “ease down” this situ?? It’s NOT the Economy Stupids; ITS the Stupids (economists and politicians). Any objection?
On another tone and note, the DNV GL annual press briefing and dinner took place at Chandos House in London’s West End and was more than a sucess with excellent topics and a full response/turnout by the media. “Tackling global transformation in the Maritime Sector” by Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen CEO, DNV GL – Maritime and “The Digital Maritime Reality” by Kenneth Vaeide, CEO, DNV GL Digital Solutions. Three excellent networking sessions, one before the event during coffee time and two after these great presentations with a super dinner were unique in its entirety by DNV GL in London. Great contributions by Anne Moschner, Director Communications and Nikos Späth, Head of Media and Public Relations with Christina Dupré Roos of BLUE-C at her best performance in organising such an event. Excellent!!
IBIA’s annual dinner is coming up on Monday the 24th of Feb and the HESGB 25th Anniversary on the 29th of Feb both at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair… See you all there for great networking debates on many many Shipping issues!! 2020, as we have said from the right begining, is the Year of Reckoning and we adhere to this prediction; see this prediction since our Dec 2019 write-ups!!! Meantime IMO’s 2020 is in tatters. No Fuels means No Fuels, end of the story. Save Planet Ocean without pety excuses and extentions; save our Children and Grandchildren!
Our special survey for the 100 Top Women on Planet Ocean in the Shipping Industry for 2019 was a great success and surprise to all AND for all!
And another Woman will lead Britain’s Shipping; Conservative MP Kelly Tolhurst takes over (19th of Feb) from Nusrat Ghani as Shipping Minister; we wish her best!
More news later on; until then have a nice evening and weekend but continue to remain on guard from actions emanating by Pirates, Terrorists, Criminals, Business Hooligans wherever you are and from …Coronavirus all over Planet Ocean.
