The Markets, particularly the Dry ones fell raising eyebrows; let us hope is a tempo fall as summer is here. The despicable war in Ukraine continues and unimaginable things will happen engulfing many nations. Too early to lift Covid’s protocols. John Faraclas daily and weekly recaps:
The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) ended down 13 points since yesterday at 3,104, but same was up 386 since last week’s (06 May 2022 – from 2,718) surpassing the 2,800 to 3,100 points threshold…
The main factor behind this rise was the ever-volatile Capes whose BCI was down 18 points at 3,947, but on a weekly basis, the BCI was up 1,053 points – up from 2,894 on 06 May… The 2,900 to 3,900 points threshold was spectacularly conquered. Let us see what is next…
Falling Panamaxes saw the BPI at 3,283 – down 27; on a weekly basis though the BPI was up 108 points – from 3,175 last week AND with the 3,200-point threshold surpassed…
Minor rise for the Supras and Handies; the BSI was up two points at 2,752 and on a weekly basis up 33 – from 2,729. The BHSI was up eight points, now reading 1,673. The weekly result was 33 points plus – up from 1,640 points…
The Wets continued with mixed feelings; the last published BDTI (Dirties) and BCTI (Cleans) stood at 1,133 – down seven and 1,448 – up 12 points respectively. On a weekly basis the Dirties were down 29 points – from 1,162 and the Cleans up 56 – from 1,392 points respectively. A very odd situation, good for the owners as both indices are well above the 1,000-point mark, a level we have always prayed for…
The WTI stood at US$ 110.49 – up US$ 4.36 since yesterday (US$106.13) and just 72 cents up since last week’s (06 May 2022) when same stood at US$ 109.77; simply: pathetic. Once again we stress that same should NOT exceed the US$ 49.99; end of the story. Of course, we have seen back in 2008 US$ 147, but…
The energy issue already creates chaos, which unfortunately will continue, as animosity between the combatants gets worse…
The despicable war in Ukraine continues and as mentioned in the preamble, same spreads. An economic war is also ranging and will bring humanity to a dead end. The 90 (ninety) percent of the public all over Planet Ocean “believes” the war will end soon. We side with the 10 (ten) percent which strongly believes the war in Ukraine will spread with incalculable repercussions to humanity. Already Recession bites; inflation spreads too. Energy as mentioned above will bring down the society. Migrants increase and social upturn is ante portas… We have mentioned all the above in last week’s live appearence on TV…
Mind also Turkish behaviour in the southern flank of NATO – affecting the Balkans, Central and East Med and indeed the Black Sea and Middle East. It is about time NATO and mainly the USA and EU do something before it is too late. We are witnessing a negative stance by Turkey for the entrance of Finland and Sweden in NATO – simply another blackmail operation… add its double-faced behaviour vis-a-vis the Ukrainian – Russian War and see what you get.
The Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis has a rare chance to present Greece’s position in this continuing Turkish aggresion which migh jeopardise Peace in the region and beyond whilst visiting the White House next week as well as in his forthcoming speech to the Congress and other Chambers and Institutions in the USA’s capital.
Mind North Korea too as the ballistic tests might go off hand…
Indeed there are many geopolitical issues but the above are the main ones. We must keep an eye on Global Inflation and Energy… No excuses please; we live in 2022… and not in 1939… or 1948…
Travelling to Scandinavia, Finland and the Aland Islands in particular via France and The Netherlands I had ample time to discuss with fellow travellers emanating from all over Planet Ocean the current situation with the war in Ukraine, the energy issues – a few minutes ago whilst writting this report, Russia cut off energy supplies to Finland and many other issues…
On the Covid anathema – as we have brand the Coronavirus mess, we are worried for lifting the protocols by almost all governments and be prepared to face the music as people now mingle – especially with the beginning of the touristic season and travel is crucial especially in the Northern Hemisphere…
On another tone and note we had:
An exceptional event on the evening of the 11th of May at the main auditorium of Paleon Faliron in Athens titled: “Athens Riviera – centre for Maritime Development and Education” focusing on making Paleon Faliron, a shipping suburb in south Athens, an International Shipping Centre!
Captain Panagotis N. Tsakos was honoured for his contribution and efforts in making Paleon Faliron an International Shipping Centre.
Moreover, we travelled up north in Finland and Aland Island to meet TUAS – Turku University of Applied Sciences, team who work for the unique MarISOT application – as well as other applications which includes Prof. Evangelos Markopoulos, Mika Luimula team’s unique work and also participate in Aland’ s Maritime Day in Mariehamn’s Alandica Conference and Exhibition Centre.
Very impressed with the TUAS MarISOT team as well as their collaborators. Visited the famous and historic ABOA MARE maritime educational centre which focuses on training leading to success sea-wise businesses…
We then sailed with Viking Line’s “Viking Grace” for the two day event Aland Maritime Day in Aland on 11 and 12 May which included the Mercy Ship Race (11 May) a very thoughtful event, supporting Mercy Ships (see all over our site on Mercy Ships) and the Conference, Exhibition and Cocktail -Gala dinner at the Arkipelag Hotel opposite the Alandica centre.
Over 90 exhibitors from all over Planet Ocean and over 600 speakers, moderators, delegates – mainly from Scandinavian countries were present with a strong WISTA participation!
Congrats to the organisers lead by Mrs. Birgitta Bergman-Jansson and her team for producing an excellent two day super event and get ready for next year, 31st May to 1st of June 2023 – ink your diary accordingly. What a way to celebrate Aland’s Centennial!
Earlier on this morning with a team from TUAS we visited Alandica Shipping Academy centre and boarded the “Michael Sars”, a very special training vessel, named after the Norwegian marine biologist Michael Sars.
“Michael Sars” was built in 1979 as a research vessel for the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research in Bergen. Captain Jerry Bergman with chief engineer Sam Eklow, the hosts, assist us in our tour and Alandica Shipping academy manager, Captain Kristoffer Joelsson delivered an interesting speech on ASA’s training, emphassing also the importance that all involved in shipping in any way, must have / obtain shipping /ship experience – that is to say sail on board ships! The visit was organised by Nina Rantalaiho-Kulo of TUAS, Faculty of Medicine, accompanied by her colleaugues Sini Eloranta, Susanna Mort and Sandra Tornroth.
After returning to Turku, prof. Mika Luimula took me as well as Prof. Markopoulos for a tour to Meyer Turku shipyards where Carnival’s Celebration was in her completion stages; my mind went back in 1968 when I first visited these shipyards which have a history of 300 years!
Finally, it was great to have met Juhani Soini, Vice Rectornat TUAS, as well as Jari M. Lahtinen, Jarkko Paavola, Emmanuel Querec and Suvi Kivelä all from TUAS.
Thanks also to Mrs. Merja Mäkelä and Nikkola Aapo, also from TUAS, for greatly assisting me in this trip in many ways and aspects.
Coming up next week, and in particular on the 18th of May, IMO’s first International Day for Women in Maritime focusing on “Training-Visibility-Recognition: Supporting a barrier-free working environment”; watch this space!
Have a nice evening and 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. As for the mess in Ukraine, you have not seen anything yet as well as its spread… 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 now approaching the US$ 400 (four hundred) trillion…
