International Commerce

Saudi Arabia Commenced Building World’s Tallest Building

News Analysis:  Saudi Arabia commenced building its “Kingdom Tower”, a 1,000 plus meter high structure containing more than 200 [estimated] floors. The Project, led by Saudi Arab Visionary Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, is scheduled to be completed in a little over five years.

A Project of this Scope requires: Foresight, Technical Experience, Skilled Labor, and Capital. The Process of Selection of Experts for a undertaking of this size requires an  International Matrix of people who can perform their expertise in coordination with others. It takes someone of the Prince’s ability to properly choose those Corporations and  individuals.

Since “Kingdom Tower” is ‘State-of-the-Art’ in many Design, Engineering, Materials, and Construction aspects, the lessons learned from it will have Global Construction Benefits. 

Saudi Arabia and its Leaders should be very proud both of the Project itself, as well as it being a testament to their fortitude in proceeding forth with this Innovative Engineering Masterpiece.

Reference: http://www.albawaba.com/business/jec-project-management-ec-harris-mace-531629

Emirates Airline Gives Engineering Trainees a Unique “Hands-On” Learning Experience

News Analysis:  Emirates Airlines Engineering Trainees are getting a One-of-a-Kind Opportunity to better comprehend elements of Aircraft Construction. This build activity, albeit, rudimentary, nevertheless provides the impetus for ‘Seeds of Thought’ to germinate by the students. Required of good Aircraft Engineers is the ability to understand Systemically not only what has been built [Airbus A380, for example] but moreover, HOW IT WAS BUILT.

Learning about some of the Inherent ‘Frailties’ of Composites: The trainees “Drilling Problems” as well as many other Aircraft Industry known: i.e., Delamination due to stress; Adhesive degeneration caused by Solar Radiation Exposure at ‘Cruise’ [thereby leading to possible delamination]; Severe Carbon/Carbon Surface Abrasion due to particulates in the air (sometimes more severe due to Volcanism) and [U.S. B2 Bombers Constant Maintenance Problems from particulates]; Cracking ‘like an Egg Shell’ when merely bumped [let alone “Belly Landing” due to faulty Landing Gear]; Questionable LONG TERM Repair Integrity without using an ‘Autoclave’ as in Initial Construction by the “Air Frame”; Composites do not last as long as metals due to the aforementioned; Non-Metallic Thermal Behavior leading to constant “Rain In The Plane” Conditions.

In the United States, Beech Aircraft, several year ago sold their Stylish-Designed “Starships” to the public. Reportedly in the Press, due to inherent problems with composites, ALL of their “Starships” were re-purchased from their customers and the aircraft were Scrapped [due to allegedly Potential Legal Liability]; Production of the Starship, of course, ceased. “Rain in the Plane” was Newspaper Reported to be severe. Beech Aircraft Company is to be commended for not putting the public at risk. One can  read about this “Starship” Project, and its unfortunate end, using the Internet. This Aircraft History is not discussed by those parties selling Composite Aircraft.

The “Gain” of using Composites to the Airlines is “Lighter Weight” vs. the MANY ‘Frailties’ inherent in  that material. Some forget that “Metal’s Behavior Is Predictable” [due to its long and reliable usage in Aircraft Construction]. This should be realistically evaluated by Airlines.

Emirates Airline, with its trainees learning about the aforementioned Attributes of Composites, as well as other aircraft related subjects is to be lauded for its “Out-Of-The-Box” Thinking. 

Reference: http://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/emirates-builds-its-own-aircraft-1.1253041

New Zealand Dung Beetles May be the Lesser of Two Evils

News Analysis:  New Zealand Dung Beetles [DB] have caused concern to some citizens because of their microbe containing deposits. However, since the ‘DB’ ‘”…remove a habitat and feeding resource for flies, which are known to spread disease to humans and animals,”….’ they pose less of a risk.

The DB, which uses Astral Navigation for travel, is found everywhere but Antarctica. They are promoted for use in Animal Husbandry, in many nations, for the reduction in surface manure.

Research [and the knowledge derived therefrom] can make a “Foe” into a “Friend” when it comes to increases in Quality and Yield with Flora and/or Fauna.

Reference: http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/9380789/ES-allays-fears-over-dung-beetles

Seafloor Mining in Papua New Guinea Area is a Metals “Horn of Plenty”

News Analysis:  Seafloor Mining in Papua New Guinea Area is  rich in Copper, Gold, Silver, and Zinc Deposits. Since existing Robotic Mining Equipment is available, extraction of Seabed Deposits should be easily attainable. Once extracted, and sent to a recovery ship, the metals can then be sent to China for Smelting.

The extraction of Metallic Nodules in the oceans of the world is quite pervasive. Even so, locating rich deposits in shallower waters is economically most favored by Investors.

Reference: http://www.onepng.com/2013/10/seafloor-mining-robots-and-equipment.html

Netherlands: Does Their “Dutch Optimism” Precede Their Wealth; Or, Wealth Precede Their “Dutch Optimism”?

News Analysis:  The International-Oriented Dutch have a tradition of World Exploration accompanied by Financial Acumen second-to-none. While others are  busy in attempting to gain publicity for all of their business ventures, the Dutch are Stealthily conducting business negotiations. Additionally, their years of experience in dealing with people in other countries has taught them the benefits of being circumspect. The asset of being adroit in business comes from years of similar international exposure.

The Dutch Optimism is,in part,based upon the ability to correctly analyze people and situations [thereby gaining a confidence which morphs into cheerfulness].

The Dutch Wealth has accumulated over the years by both the aforementioned ‘abilities’ as well as knowing “Good Money Management”. Common-sense dictates that: “One does not spend more than one earns”. Application of this simple Credo applies also to business transactions of all kinds. Seldom is heard of the Dutch paying artificially exorbitant prices for goods or services; they know better. Through the years, application of this behavior has allowed the Dutch to prosper; be it in: Flower Production And Sales, International Finance, Maritime Shipping, or Petroleum Exploration and Production. The 92,000 Millionaire Households are a Testament to this.

Perhaps the wisdom of ECC 10:19 has been endorsed by them.

Any People who have learned to “Hold back the Ocean” have the necessary Intellect and Tenacity to succeed wherever they choose.

Reference: http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2013/11/the_netherlands_92000_milliona.php

Russian Atomic Ice Breaker will be World’s Largest

News Analysis: Russian Atomic Icebreaker is currently being constructed in St. Petersburg at Baltiysky Shipyard. The mammoth 173 meters [567 feet] by 34 meters [111 feet] beam will have Sixty Mega-Watts of Power. This Craft will be able to easily traverse the Arctic Ocean under any currently anticipated conditions as designed.

The investment, of over One Billion Euros, by Atomflot shows good Financial Judgement  as it relates to the Economic Future of Marine Traffic in the Arctic Ocean. One can hope other Arctic Abutting Countries have the prescience to build similar vessels so Maritime Craft can quickly, and safely cross the inhospitable Arctic Environment. Trans-Arctic Shipments save days at sea.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/lco8src

Gambling Casinos in Hungary are Going to Substantially Increase in Number

Hungarian Gambling Casinos are going to reach a dozen soon. An estimated $211,000,000 in Tax Revenues to Hungary is to be added to the government coffers with their operation.  Since casinos are so popular as Adult Entertainment, one can assume traffic from the public in adjoining nations should readily occur. The Employment Picture should brighten for adults who seek jobs in this  industry in Hungary.

The beauty of Hungary and its friendly and intelligent  people bode well for such a Hospitality- Oriented Business as Casino Gambling.

Reference: http://www.bbj.hu/business/new-gambling-law-double-fees-no-tender-required_71550

Middle East Oil Tanker Shipping Rates are on an Upturn

News Analysis: The quick turn around in Tanker Shipping Rates bodes  well for this industry. For far too long, oversupply of tankers, in conjunction with decreased demand, almost sank the historically, very cyclical business. Hopefully, older vessels [15+ years of age] will be scrapped, encouraged by adequate rates, if enduring over the months. New buildings, when undertaken, will also help yards around the world [who have seen a dearth of Oil Tanker  customers recently]. This symbiosis of Industry [Shipping] to Industry [Ship Building] may eventually cascade into better times for both. 

Perhaps Non-Traditional Funding Sources will learn about the rate changes and explore Investment opportunities in Ship Construction.  

A parallel growth model is in the construction  of Liquified Natural Gas [LNG] Vessels. In fact, innovators such as ship owner, John Fredriksen, has been leading the followers where it comes to foresight  in types of New Buildings needed in General Shipping and Oil Exploration/Production Vessels.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/lnv3fpe

World’s Petrochemical Deposits at End of 2012: Oil Surges, Natural Gas Soars!

News Analysis:  Estimated OIL Surges To 1,668,900,000,000 Barrels; Proven NATURAL GAS soars to approximately 187,000,000,000,000 Cubic Meters!

For the Oil Industry, Per Barrel [Cubic Meter] Costs of Production for ON-LAND Projects, should diminish minimally due to production efficiencies as well as more voluminous equipment purchases at slightly lowers costs.  OCEAN BORNE Projects may be expected to  have incrementally greater costs. This is due to Exploration Drilling and Petrochemical extraction in deeper waters. In waters such as the Arctic Ocean, the severely cold weather will have to be dealt with [at increased costs].

The very increasing discovery and production of oil and natural gas bodes marginally well for Consumers. The increases in supply are greater than those in demand [as judged by World Population Birth Increases]. However, the costs to be borne by the Petrochemical Companies will be passed on to Consumers for the viability of further exploration and production.

The good news for Middle East Nations is that there are yet many decades of oil to be produced in their respective countries. As new technologies are developed for the extraction of oil from mature fields, in the Gulf Countries,  they can expect continued prosperity. New oil discoveries, particularly off-shore, should bode well for them also.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/ka3xnby

 

 

Bermudans Seek Expanded Exclusive Economic Zone

News Analysis:  The Commercial Value to Bermuda of an additional 150 mile Radius  of Seabed, beyond its present 200 mile Radius, in the Atlantic Ocean could be enormous. This additional area of 350,000 km2 [135,136 mi2] could contain Surface Seabed wealth of Manganese Nodules, Microscopic Gold, and the like.  Additionally, Hydrocarbon Deposits might be extensive if Sub-Surface Seabed Drilling occurs.

Abundant Marine life could further economically benefit Bermudans [in areas physically removed from the aforementioned mining activities].

If Mr. Perinchief prevails in the Legal Arena, thus giving Bermuda this additional physical area, his contribution to the country would be priceless.

Reference: http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20131104/NEWS07/131109924