John Faraclas
Markets remain overall buoyant amid perplexed Geopolitics leading to hostilities and a spreading Coronavirus
The BDI was up just a point since yesterday and now stands at 1,501; on a weekly basis we had good news: 131 points plus – up from 1,350 on 31 July 2020. Wets struggle. Geopolitics explosive and expect hostilities. Coronavirus cases spread and wonder how greediness will be penalised… John Faraclas’ daily and weekend recap:
The volatile Capes lost 63 points and the BCI now stands at 2,401 points. On a weekly basis same was up 195 points – from 2,206 on 31/7.-
The Pananaxes BPI was up 69 points surpassing also the 1,500 threshold and now reads 1,563… On a weekly basis the BPI gained 336 points – from 1,227 points last week and going over the 1,300, the 1,400 and 1,500 points-threshold!
Both Supras and Handies were up; the BSI up eight and the BHSI up two at 855 and 471 points respectively. On a weekly basis the Supras were down 25 points and the Handies down three from 870 and 474 points respectively.
Stagnant Wets yet again..; the last published BDTI (Dirties) and BCTI (Cleans) stood at 507 and 350 points respectively – no change at all. On a weekly basis the Dirties were up one point since last week’s 506 points and the Cleans were down six – from 356 on 31/7… CAUTION !!!!
The WTI was up since yesterday at US$ 41.53; last week same closed at US$ 40.44 …
Geopolitics more than messy… With the MIGRANTS MEGA MEYHEM – now also seeing crossings from the Continent to the United Kingdom… things get more than messy:
It is not just the Aegean and in general the Med – Spain, Malta, Italy and Greece having incoming MIGRANTS from the Anatolian Coast of Turkey and Libya or other North African Countries were we also have Sub-Saharan MIGRANTS as well as others from as far as Afghanistan, we have an increased number of crossings in the English Channel in small boats. Yesterday a record of 235 people in 17 small boats managed to cross over. Today we had 130 people crossing… All depart from France close to Calais… So, as we have numerous times stressed, ONLY a Naval Blockade with a Mandate and Rules of Engagement can stop and give an end to all this mess which is now threatening the social cohesion of many areas / regions within Europe. At the other side of the Atlantic particularly in the USA / Mexican border tough measures were taken by Donald Trump’s administration to reduce the mess of the arriving caravans from other countries too.
Turkey MUST be closely watched; its president has despicable designs… for example extending Turkey’s frontiers… Land and Sea ones… CAUTION as president Erdogan leads a pariah state and he will strike at his neighbors anytime. He cannot be trusted at all. All his deeds speaks alone… Wait and see what he will do whilst his backers and the international community including German led Brussels (EU) turn their head… CAUTION… The next hours, days or months could be more than crucial for Peace on Planet Ocean… Greece and Cyprus are members of the European Union where Turkey has aspirations that one day will join… Bullying Greece or Cyprus will for ever keep Turkey away; end of the story.-
We cry for you Beirut… A 43 meters deep crater at the explosion point within its port tells it all there. In my humble view the IMO should intervene as we have the ISPS Code, where – we quote you the following so one can get the message and act accordingly as well as ensure avoidance of future tragedies:
QUOTE
The main objectives of the ISPS Code include:
- establishment of an international framework that fosters cooperation between Contracting Governments, Government agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries, in assessing and detecting potential security threats to ships or port facilities used for international trade, so as to implement preventive security measures against such threats;
- determining the respective roles and responsibilities of all parties concerned with safeguarding maritime security in ports and on board ships, at the national, regional and international levels;
- to ensure that there is early and efficient collation and exchange of maritime security-related information, at national, regional and international levels;
- to provide a methodology for ship and port security assessments, which facilitates the development of ship, company and port facility security plans and procedures, which must be utilised to respond to ships’ or ports’ varying security levels; and
- to ensure that adequate and proportionate maritime security measures are in place on board ships and in ports.
In order to achieve the above objectives, SOLAS contracting governments, port authorities and shipping companies are required, under the ISPS Code, to designate appropriate security officers and personnel, on each ship, port facility and shipping company. These security officers, designated Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs), Ship Security Officers (SSOs) and Company Security Officers (CSOs), are charged with the duties of assessing, as well as preparing and implementing effective security plans that are able to manage any potential security threat. IMO is able to provide support to Member states in need of assistance in implementing the Code, by way of national and regional workshops, seminars, needs assessment missions, etc.
UNQUOTE
We eagerly await the IMO’s view on the Beirut Port’s catastrophe !!!! We also await the truth on the Lebanese Government’s investigations and findings. We do not have words to express our sorrow for the people of Beirut among them friends. Politics are politics, we know all that juzz, but human life too and when there is a revenge… we all complain.
The EU and the UK are still at loggerheads trying to find a breakthrough on BREXIT; a very difficult issue for which we have warned you well in advance that it will turn Planet Ocean upside down… Watch this space!
Within the EU too, too many issues. Let’s see what the German presidency can do within the next six months…
Crucial elections coming up in Belarus; if there is a surprise… well…
At the other side of the Atlantic the countdown for the USA’s presidential election is on… A new president or what? Who can best tackle the current domestic and international Geopolitical mess…
Central and South Latin America continue in the worse ever mess for over fifty years, not just because of Coronavirus, but for the total bankruptcy mess there as well as the ideological mess – see Venezuela… Shall we cry again for you Argentina…?
China is pushing its luck in the South China Sea; the USA will appropriately respond with Japan closely watching…
Mind Hong Kong as it may trigger issues for all…
“Silence” from North Korea...
Putin’s Russia continues to pursue silently and methodologically its agenda which is sends us warning messages…
Racism issues MUST be solved; there are too many unnecessary excesses…
Coronavirus makes strides and soon will be more than deadly wrecking further Planet Ocean’s Economy, currently (since last Autumn) , in deep Recession… We need DISCIPLINE. The virus is here, whether natural or lab made is here and we MUST tackle same. So be Disciplined and wear your MASK!!!! The second wave in our humble view is on!!!! Governments MUST thoroughly watch / monitor Airports, Sea Terminals, Train and Bus Stations ensuring every single person obeys the rules. We are NOT happy at all and have evidence of what we discover happening in A1 airports… SHAME… Sea-Travel is better. Entertainment must also conform with the rules or else. Parents MUST take lead and all competent authorities MUST observe that at all material times the Rules and Protocols are performed 100 centum. More penalties please to ensure its effectiveness!!!! LIFE MATTERS MOST !!!
Opening the Tourist industry is one thing, but when the authorities who allowed this seat on the dock from the rise in deaths and cases, yet another. CAUTION not to spoil what was achieved in some countries. Many cruise ships from the West (USA and Caribs) go for layup in Europe… Politicians should not overrule the Medical people, no even an iota !!!!
Have a nice evening as well as weekend but continue to remain on guard from actions emanating from Pirates, Terrorists, Criminals and any Business Hooligans whatsoever wherever you are on Planet Ocean. Once again a big THANK YOU to all who really care for all humans – Doctors, Nurses, Seafarers, Dockers, Port Authorities et al during this Coronavirus disaster!! We repeat: Do please invest in Hospitals including Equipment, Doctors, Nurses and any useful means to avoid further disasters! Become more disciplined and care for the Environment too. Lastly: Education and Training for all to be able to tackle these disasters. Let’s work collectively together and NOT opt for a fistful of Dollars to restart the already collapsed global economy… which is in red US$ 260 (twohundredandsixty) trillion…
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Uploaded: 22:39 BST
Updated: 23:55 BST
