Handysize Insider Wanted

Handysize Insider Wanted

German publisher BMTI is looking for an insider to be a freelancer delivering news and rates on the Handysize market. Ideally you will be a broker with excellent contacts in the London market. Check out http://www.bmti-report.com/WeeklySummary and give Hans Piper a call on +49 30 85 222 58.

Analysis of Bunker Prices by Marcon International, Inc. – Ship Brokers & Marine Consultants

Marcon International, Inc. – Ship Brokers & Marine Consultants.

A US view of bunker prices.

Clash of Finance – three shipping finance conferences on the same day.

Before the autumn season of shipping conference kicks off I have been updating the shipping calendar (http://goo.gl/Md4aL). Another 40 events and their associated page links have been added, taking the calendar through to mid-2014. If your conference is not on the calendar, drop me an email on craigjallal@hotmail.com.

 Autumn is the traditional start of the conference season. This season sees a date clash in the shipping finance league, with Informa, Marine Money, and Hansa Forum all choosing to host conferences on the same day. This is a bit like having the most entertaining teams in the Premier League, say, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur (sorry Arsenal fans – I did say entertaining) games kicking off at the same time. This conference season will see the 26th International Ship Finance Conference (aka LSE Ship Finance Conference) taking place in London on the 13th and 14th of November versus Marine Money Ship Finance in New York on the 14th, versus Hansa Forum Shipping Finance in Hamburg on the same day. The kick off times in the Premier League are carefully managed to maximise advertising potential and maintain punter interest. Maybe it’s time the conference organisers got together to do the same thing.

Overhaul of Kiel Canal Threatens Future of Port of Hamburg – SPIEGEL ONLINE

Interesting article from Spiegel Online (in English) on how the failings of the Kiel Canal may lead to Hamburg losing traffic. Did you know one of the lock gates is currently sliding on planks of wood! This is a good example of it is not only demand that influences shipping routes  – Overhaul of Kiel Canal Threatens Future of Port of Hamburg – SPIEGEL ONLINE.

Will Nicaragua waterway allow largest containerships?

Details on the proposed Nicuraguan Canal are trickling out like seepage from an old lock gate but the Guardian newspaper is saying it will be wide enough for the largest containerships today. Given the time lag between what is on the water and the general press idea of a large ship, it seems this is unlikely to include the 18000 teu Triple-EEEs, the first of which is launched tomorrow (#Triple-E).

via Nicaragua waterway to dwarf Panama canal | World news | The Guardian.

Nicaragua canal gets go ahead – but no mention of capacity

Unfortunately there is no mention about dimensions or capacity, so it is difficult to gauge the impact on shipping and the Panama Canal – AFP: Chinese firm gets concession for Nicaragua canal.

Floods halt Mississippi River shipping, shut Port of St Louis | Reuters

Floods halt Mississippi River shipping, shut Port of St Louis | Reuters.

Egypt could use Suez Canal to retaliate against Ethiopia dam move: Sabbahi – Politics – Egypt – Ahram Online

CORRECTION – Egypt could use Suez Canal to retaliate against Ethiopia dam move: Sabbahi – Politics – Egypt – Ahram Online.

Hawaii residents renew fight for free market in shipping | Hawaii Reporter

Hawaii residents renew fight for free market in shipping | Hawaii Reporter.

Brilliant Waste of Time

Have you discovered the PlanetInAction online Google Earth ship simulator yet?

It’s a brilliant way to waste away an hour or two. First go to the review  for an explanation of how the controls. From there you can follow the link to the game itself. You have a choice of ships, from a bunker lighter to the impressive Queen Mary 2. The simulation opens in Rotterdam, not far from the offices of DVB, and because it is based on Google Earth, can be reset anywhere. I just spent a nervous 20 minutes threading a closed river barge through the Pool of London, just avoiding HMS Belfast and finally berthing on the quay outside the Clarksons office.

PlanetInAction have produced the ship simulator as a showcase for their talents, and are looking for investors to develop it further. Contact details are on the website. I have to go now. I am about to moor the Queen Mary 2 outside the Spinnaker office at Leigh-on-Sea!