A Devastating Markets, Geopolitics and Covid week; learning from snowfalls
The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) ended up today at 1,381 points – 79 plus since yesterday, but same was down 34 since last Friday the 21st of January when it stood at 1,415… The Ukrainian issue coupled with energy will cost dear to all, particularly the warring ones – expect collateral damage in Ukraine’s 3,000 miles range/region, even if we witness hostilities and not a full scale war. Covid-19 and its mutations continue steadily to jeopardise life on Planet Ocean… Snowfalls will teach lessons to many politicians, public servants et al. John Faraclas’ daily and weekly recap:
The volatile and predictably unpredictable Capes gained 257 point boosting the BCI above the 1,000 points psychological threshold and now stands at 1,075; the weekly gains were 184 points – up from 891 last week. Good to witness this progress but one size doesn’t constitute an overall buoyant market…
The Panamaxes lost six points with the BPI standing at 1,840; the weekly losses though were 170 points included the loss of both the 2,000 and 1,900 points – down from 2,010…
The Supras’ BSI was down 16 points at 1,597 losing the 1,600 points threshold. On a weekly basis the losses were 152 points, down from 1,749!
Minor losses for the Handies’ BHSI now at 1,010 – minus six… 93 points lost on a weekly basis from 1,103.
All in all a low Dry Market and “thanks” to the Capes, otherwise it was going to be far worse… Many expect a rise after February… We shall see…
Containerships enjoying very good gains!!!
The Wets continue to remain low; the last published BDTI and BCTI stood at 687 and 554 points – up two and five points respectively since yesterday. On a weekly basis though the Dirties were down five points and the Cleans up four respectively from 692 and 551…
Still an enigmatic Wet market…
The WTI was up 69 cents since yesterday and now reads US$ 87.30. The weekly …score was a US$ 2.16 – up from US$ 85.14… Ultra caution should be observed as billions will suffer… Despicable and fraudulent! Time to settle the cost of energy…
On the Geopolitical front we have further escalation in the faulty line from Gib to Afghanistan and from the Caucuses down to the Horn of Africa with a major flash point all around Ukraine and a war of nerves – not just of words, with a major possibility to witness a major conflagration as president Putin might use many means to defend his and Russia’s position. In the event of this conflagration what will be the reaction in the field from the USA, its allies in NATO and EU? Sanctions, with all due respect in the case of Putin and Russia, cannot work… Then you have another issue which bothers many nations in the Central and East Med, the Aegean, The Balkans and the Middle East: Turkey’s Erdogan who sides with Putin’s Russia as well as spearheading an Islamist region wishing to revive the Ottoman Empire via the Blue Motherland… CAUTION as no one can understand what will happen if Erdogan creates a caliphate on the shores of the Med! Erdogan and Putin use the MIGRANTS as the most despicable weapon against Europe and its social cohesion and security; wake up! Brussels until now have spectacularly failed to reprimand Erdogan and his likes… No excuses if we see a spill over. Wonder on Germany’s attitude on all the above… Once again we reiterate our position for a Naval blockade, with a Mandate and Rules of Engagement. In hinterland spread your army; you dead well know what I mean…
Greece and Cyprus continue to be threatened; time we see a reverse…
In Italy, President Sergio Matarella looks likely being re-elected for another term. Unity first to ackle Ital’s colossal issues. Master Mario Draghi will be more than pleased; hope he saves his country.
The European Union MUST get its act together; it is about time!
In UK, PM Boris Johnson hangs on; a very delicate situation amid the Ukrainian crisis. Will he attempt to defuse same? Can he do it?
Bad weather in USA and Canada… Caution as there is more to come…
Honduras has its first eve female president; can Xiomara Castro save her nation?
Mind Argentina’s economy; renegotiating its debt is one think, keeping citizens safe and happy yet another… Let us hope this four years of grace will work as otherwise we will all cry for Argentina…
Kim Jong-un of North Korea begins another round of missile tests; he is plaing with fire as 2022 is not 2017…
China as always at forefront of expansionism in the Pacific Basin will upset us… The New Chinese Year, the Year of the Tiger will be a strange one, so as of the 1st of February be prepared for a strange year, tigers persevere to the bitter end and that’s a fact…
In Africa, more coups by young army officers; the latest one in Burkina Faso by Lt.Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba 41 years old… Meantime deadly storms hit southern Africa countries. Storm Ana left behind dead people and a grest mess… And sorm Batstirai is on the way;brace…
In Greece the snowstorm brought an unnecessary mess simply because, “offshore” people as we call them, don’t act as we do in Shipping were we are more efficient in going through extreme situations. “Offshore” people in Greece must learn about our ISM, ISPS codes as well as our DPA’s. End of the story. Grow up and learn to tackle disasters before they make their presence felt. You see, having an excellent motorway is one thing, how safe is same in all aspects, yet another… Not to say how to run same… Petty party politics by all Greek opposition parties and accusations are not even for kindergartens… Meantime, wonder what can happen in Greece if snowfalls batters the country like say the US or Canada… Grow up…
The Covid anathema continues and its about time to see disciplined citizens as well as responsible politicians… Be prepared for more uncertainty and cases all over Planet Ocean…
Have a nice evening as well as weekend and 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 us work collectively together and NOT opt for a fistful of Dollars to restart the already collapsed global economy… which is in red over US$ 350 (three hundredandfifty) trillion…
1 comment
An insightful article