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Friday, 16 October 09
NAVIGATING THROUGH STORMY WATERS
 To Theodore E Veniamis, the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, the current turmoil in world shipping is due to the cyclical nature of maritime freight markets. According to him, the winner is the one who stays in the game even in difficult times such as these.
In February, Theodore E Veniamis was elected President of the Union of Greek Ship-owners (UGS). Mr Veniamis is also the founder, chairman and managing director of the Golden Union group, a Piraeus-based shipping company established 32 years ago. Under his leadership, the Golden Union group has flourished and today enjoys an excellent reputation and high level of customer commitment due to its services to the dry cargo markets and its excellent safety record. The company currently operates dry bulk vessels totalling more than 2 million dwt.
The cyclical nature of shipping
International shipping has, like most other industry sectors, been navigating in stormy waters for the past couple of months. Following six years of unprecedented growth reflected by a record number of new orders, the shipping industry has now been forced to face some cold facts. The number of cancellations is increasing, postponements are becoming increasingly widespread and debts are piling up. Furthermore, although Greek shipowners still prefer to scrap older vessels and buy second-hand, on a global scale lay-ups are set to increase. However, the future might not be totally gloomy.
Mr Veniamis, who is currently serving as chairman of DNV’s Greek Committee, believes that international shipping will survive the current crisis – just like it has survived previous crises. "Maritime freight markets are cyclical in nature. Shipping crises are consequently a recurring phenomenon. The unprecedented growth we have witnessed in the freight market over the past few years was not sustainable. Now, once more, shipping is being called upon to face this very testing period in a responsible way," says Mr Veniamis. And he knows what he is talking about.
The philosophy of Greek shipping
Maritime traditions in Greece date back 10,000 years and are as strong today as ever. Greece currently manages the largest merchant fleet in the world and controls close to 15% of the world fleet measured by deadweight. Furthermore, Greek shipowners have had the largest share of newbuildings during the recent financial turmoil.
Nonetheless, the current financial crisis is a global crisis that also affects the Greek shipping industry. Although, according to Mr Veniamis, perhaps not in the same magnitude. "Over the years, the Greek shipping industry has proved it has an amazing ability and willingness to adapt to the needs and requirements of a constantly changing global environment. Thus, during the current financial turmoil, Greek shipping is better able to deal with the industry’s highly unpredictable cyclical nature," says Mr Veniamis. But, he adds, there is more to Greek shipping than just that.
"There is a special philosophy in Greek shipping. The majority of the industry is based on family loyalties and values, not corporate ownership. Shipping companies built on a strong family foundation lead to a different kind of trust and commitment. I believe this foundation is part of the reason why Greek shipping will get through the crisis without breaking its back," says Mr Veniamis.
As a comparison, Norwegian shipping traditions have also been built on a similar family-oriented foundation. Today, the maritime relations between Greece and Norway are strong, and Greek shipowners work closely with the Norwegian maritime cluster; insurance, banking and classification. For DNV, maintaining a good and fruitful relationship with Greek shipping is a priority.
Realistic view
When it comes to predicting the future of international shipping, Mr Veniamis takes a cautiously realistic view. "It’s impossible to predict the future. We know only the past and the present. If we want an indication as to what the future will bring, we need to make regular calculations, perhaps as often as every month," he says.
Although predicting the future might be difficult, one thing is certain; concern for the environment and sustainability will be an important part of it.
According to Mr Veniamis, the shipping community has worked on environmental issues for years. "Operational pollution has been reduced, and significant improvements in engine efficiency and hull design have led to a reduction in emissions and increased fuel efficiency. The UGS supports global IMO-induced measures to reduce emissions from international shipping," he says, emphasising that "these measures should support sustainable development without restricting economic and trade growth."
My word is my bond
For Mr Veniamis, trust and confidence are two of the most important attributes in shipping. "In the end, what matters in the current situation is that trust and confidence are re-established. Banks with shipping portfolios should support their customers and assist them in overcoming the current difficulties. The motto ‘my word is my bond’ should prevail again. Speculation should be avoided, and the financing of healthy shipping should not be curtailed," says Mr Veniamis.
In the end, he says "the winner is anyone who stays in the game even in difficult times such as these."
Source: Hellenic Shipping News, DNV
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Tuesday, 20 October 09
RECAPITAL SET TO BUY INDONESIA'S BERAU COAL - SOURCES
* COULD PAY AT LEAST $1.3 BLN FOR BERAU - SOURCES
* RECAPITAL CONFIRMS IT HAS BID FOR BERAU
* BAKRIE GROUP LIKELY TO BACK BID – SOURCES
...
Tuesday, 20 October 09
COAL PRICES TO SURGE IN 2010 DESPITE AMPLE SUPPLY
Commodity Online reported that, Coal prices are indeed destined to go higher as they follow the rise of ‘coal currencies’ such as Austra ...
Tuesday, 20 October 09
INDIA MAY CUT STAKE IN NTPC BY DECEMBER, POWER SECRETARY SAYS
Bloomberg reported that, India’s government may sell a 5 percent stake in NTPC Ltd., the country’s biggest power producer, as early as D ...
Monday, 19 October 09
COAL PRICE UP AGAIN - RICHARDS BAY TERMINAL
Export prices rose 45 cents, or 0.7%, to an average of 64.05 a metric ton in the week ended Oct. 16, according to McCloskey Group.
The week was & ...
Monday, 19 October 09
COAL MINISTRY SEEKS EXPLANATION FROM AP GENCO
The Hindu Business reported that, the Coal Ministry has asked the Power Generation Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (AP Genco) to explain why there was ...
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- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
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- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
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- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
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- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
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- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
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- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
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- Australian Coal Association
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- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Planning Commission, India
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- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- White Energy Company Limited
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- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
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- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
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- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
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- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
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- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
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- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
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- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
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- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- The University of Queensland
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
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- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
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- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
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- Parliament of New Zealand
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- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
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- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
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- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
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