Marine

Peru and Chile: Two Countries In A Mutual Dispute Become Two Winners To Salute

News Analysis: Peru and Chile have received a Ruling from the International Court of Justice, in the Hague,  regarding Maritime Boundary between the two Countries. Of the 38,000 km2 (14,672 mi2) in question, 22,000 km2 (8,494 mi2) went to Peru and 16.000 km2 (6,177 mi2), which was closer to shore, benefited Chile.

The best aspect of this arrangement is that it will allow two friendly abutting Nations to enjoy the Maritime Wealth of these stipulated portions, without question.

Both Chile and Peru have Wise Leaders who realize that Cooperation Outperforms Conflict Every Time.

Investors should consider putting some monies into these Two Countries for attainment of Long Term Financial Diversification. Both Countries offer many Business Opportunities to those with Foresight.

Reality.

Reference: http://www.peruviantimes.com/29/peru-starts-implementation-of-new-maritime-border/21411/

☆ ‘Fools’ Who Choose To Cruise, November Through April, Can Be “Rewarded” With Norovirus

News Analysis: The U.S. Center For Disease Control states  that 80% of Norovirus Voyage Cases occur on Cruises from November through April. This temporary Debilitating Disorder evidences itself by causing Cramps, Diarrhea. Muscle Aches, Nausea, and possible Vertigo in Passengers. It is spread by Infected Crew and/or Passengers on everything they touch. Some Physicians are of the opinion that Coughing and the breaths of the ill may also spread the virus.

There is a very interesting aspect of being in Close Proximity to Others on Voyages, and contracting this disorder, during the SAME November through April Time Frame. People Flying in Aircraft FOR HOURS and SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO OTHERS, typically DO NOT have reports of Mass Illnesses like Cruise Ship Voyages;  which have now become Common Events!

“Semi-Belligerent” Passengers on Aircraft (as stated in Newspaper Reports)  are ready to report their Slightest of Grievances readily to Airlines and Governments about their flights; so one would expect Illness Reports during November through April to be prodigious if these were the cases (which it is not). Instead, “Happy Cruise Passengers” become less so with the onset of Cramps and Diarrhea they experience while at sea.

If one thinks about it, National Bus Riders and Railway Passengers should also be afflicted with Norovirus; it appears they are not.

Perhaps something else is at work causing this Obvious Factual Disparity.  It may be that the various Cruise Lines  are doing a dismal job of  their Crews’ Health Screenings to save  money in a very competitive Industry, as some people think.

Travel Planners need to put their “Thinking Caps On” as to the Healthiest Way to take a Vacation. Obviously Cruise Ships, from November through April, are not it.

An Ounce of ‘Selection’ is worth a Pound of Cure.

Reality.

Reference: http://www.ibtimes.com/what-norovirus-faq-about-common-cruise-ship-illness-1549066

Australia’s Military Buys American “Pigs In A Poke” For Up To $16.4 Billion Dollars; What A Bargain?

News Analysis: Australia’s Military is spending Up To $16.4 Billion Dollars for Two Aircraft Systems: Fighter and Anti-Submarine. The United States Pentagon Head of these Programs admits to Serious Flaws in both Systems. The flaws have been known, but Unsolved for Several Years.

The Fighter Aircraft has numerous Software Problems. Beyond that it is allegedly  less reliable, more difficult to maintain, and is subject to propellant fires from missile hits.

The Anti-Submarine Aircraft, merely a ‘converted’ Commercial 737, is reportedly ineffective for surveillance of the oceans, and detecting and destroying enemy submarines. This reportedly  is due to flaws in the aircraft’s radar ability, sensor integration, and data transfer.

The fact that these problems have not been solved this late in the Development Cycle is Ominous. To say that the problems are “Manageable” is Laughable. Is that “Manageable” but ‘Unsolvable”?

It is presumed by many, Australia will continue on with this Questionable Set of Purchases. Rather than demanding that IT GET WHAT IT INITIALLY BARGAINED FOR, it will acquire much less quality so as to NOT OFFEND its ‘American Military-Industrial Partners’. Apparently, to Possibly Risk the Lives of Australian Military Members, by having accepted “Less Than The Best” will be acceptable, however.

Reality.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/mc2w9la

★ California, World’s Sixth Largest Economy, Has Its Drought Emergency Worsening

News Analysis: California’s Drought, the worst in its 153 year History, brings about a dilemma for Farmers. They use  34 Million Acre Feet of Water out of an available total of 43 Million Acre Feet

(An ‘Acre Foot’ is 325,853 U.S. Gallons); Water that is diverted from groundwater, lakes, and rivers. The outlook for measurable rain throughout the State looks very grim for at least the next 90 days per U.S. Government Weather Officials.

The Plethora of Fruits and Vegetables produced in the State is legendary. The three elements of: Abundant Water, Rich Soil, and, many days of Sunshine were California’s ‘Natural Inheritance’. Now, the ‘Game’ has Changed.

Water Conservation, Politicians love to discuss, is only a ‘Bandage’ Repair to a problem. However, this approach can be enhanced by: Ceasing additional acreage for farming throughout the State; Altering the crop mix from high water consumption Fruits and Vegetables to low usage crops; Botanically modifying both Fruit Trees and Grape Vines to use less water; Removal of  Palm Trees; for they consume up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water a day and do not provide shade. 

An additional observation regarding Water Conservation is the America’s Largess in recently increasing allocations of Colorado River Water to Mexico; this was obviously fashionable but short-sighted. One might think the approximately $25+/- Billion Dollars YEARLY  being repatriated to Mexico from America would allow Mexico to build many Desalinization Plants in their beautiful country with TWO Oceans.

The greater need for California is for an Increase in Fresh Water Supply. This can be accomplished by building Desalinization Plants up and down the coast of the Pacific Ocean. If the fresh water is pumped into local aquifers near each facility, then  neighboring regions could draw off the HISTORICAL ALLOCATION of their neighbor (which would be using the ‘New Desalinated Water’). Like ‘Falling Dominoes’ this step-by-step approach would eventually reach the San Joaquin Valley where most farms of the Northern Half of the State are located.

To those who loathe the idea of Desalinization Plants along the California Coast, one can only say: “Necessity Overpowers Fashion-ability”. 

To Investors, one can envision the “Lowered Supply/Steady Demand” Implications of the Drought on Agricultural and Animal Products of all kinds. Prices will increase and Wise Persons with Forethought will explore areas of the world presently growing crops America can use. Additionally, Livestock being raised overseas could be shipped to the United States. 

For the longer term, Entrepreneurs may seek land, in Non-Drought Regions where they could plant crops or Contract with existing Farmers in other geographic areas to supply Produce for America.

Climate Change is an on-going Natural  Process which provides many Opportunities for those Individuals who both can ‘Connect the Dots’ and realize: “The Glass Is Always Half-Full”.

Reality.

Reference: http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_24933924/california-drought-emergency-declared-by-gov-jerry-brown

4,000 Australian Sheep Perish On Brief Ship Voyage

News Analysis: “Heat Stress” is allegedly the Cause of Death of 4,000 Australian Sheep which were sent to the Middle East on a ship. The Summer Sun apparently radiated the ship so badly that the deaths occurred over a very short period of time. The ship apparently either had no Insulation or it might have bore “Cosmetic Insulation” of 1930’s Development. The Old Insulation Technologies, like Fiberglass (using ‘Entrapped Air” as the insulator), DO NOT WORK IN EXTREMES OF HEAT NOR COLD. They are ‘Cheap”; as is their Performance.

If the ship in discussion was insulated with “Mega-Temp™ Insulation” one could very reasonably expect an Interior Ship Temperature of approximately 23.8C (75 F) in 40C (104F) Weather because Solar Radiation does NOT effect “Mega-Temp™ Insulation”. Additionally, the light color of this Material would keep the various areas more illuminated with current on-board systems AND Treated Areas of the ship would be much Quieter for the Animals.

The loss of 4,000 Sheep to Heat Prostration is both a Tortuous Manner of Death for the Poor Animals; as well as a Sizable Financial Loss to the Responsible Party(s) involved.

Using the “Active Molecular Insulation, Mega-Temp™” could have saved both the Sheep as well as the Parties involved, financially; Sad.

Reality.

Reference: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/business/wa/a/20787632/mass-sheep-death-on-horror-voyage/

Zim Israel Shipping Lines Failure Gives Creditors Possession

News Analysis: Much Vaunted Zim Israel Shipping Lines has been costing investors Hundreds of Millions of Dollars a Year. It now owes others $3 Billion Dollars. After  putting additional funds into this Company, creditors will finally take control. The much anticipated turn around in Shipping Rates did not materialize as predicted by ‘Shipping Experts’. Now, it will be up to the new owners to figure a methodology to try and recapture some of their investments in this entity. 

International Shipping is a tough business in which to thrive as well as just survive. It takes more than just Capital for Success; Foresight and Tenacity are also needed. Arrogance is as useful as ‘Bilge Water’.

Reality.

Reference: http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000909663&fid=1725

Brazil’s Shipyards Expand Operations While Increasing New Builds

News Analysis: Brazil is presently fabricating 370 ships, including fourteen oil rigs and 28 drill ships for the Petroleum Industry. Although this number of fabrications is small (relative to world ship construction numbers) it will make Ship Purchasers attentive to the country’s building capabilities; this in turn could bring additional orders to Brazil.

New Builds will be necessary as Ship Owners look to replace polluting Aging Vessels that are more costly to operate. Power Plants are definitely more efficient than those built 20 to 30 years ago. To gain most from a ‘Time Charter’ or the “Spot market”, Fuel Consumption may make the difference between a Daily Profit or A Loss.  For example, as the “Baltic Dry Index” falls, as is happening NOW, Operating Efficiency is Imperative for  Ship Owners; they are being paid less for vessel use.

For the myriad of Ship Owners who are highly leveraged, if Interest Rates start to go up, which is likely, Debt Service will increase and many more Bankruptcies will commence. This, the Shipyards of Brazil will have to look out for so they do not gain overcapacity in a possible future market scenario.

For now, Brazil’s Shipyard activities look very bright.

Reality.

Reference: http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-daily/new-brazilian-shipyards-to-generate-30000-jobs/

Norway Exported $9.87+ Billion Dollars of Seafood In 2013

News Analysis: Contrary to claims by many Environmentalists, that the “Oceans Of The World Are Fished Out”, Norway Exported a Record $9.87 Billion Dollars of Seafood in 2013. The Seafood consists of: Capelin, Cod, Haddock, Herring, Salmon, Trout, and other species. The hard working Norwegian Fishermen are now enjoying the fruits of their labor; while over 140 Countries enjoy the Seafood.

The question many people are asking: How can Environmentalists be so wrong about “Over-Fishing The Oceans” (especially when viewed in the light of Norwegian Government Economic Export Facts)?

Reality.

Reference: http://barentsobserver.com/en/business/2014/01/norway-seafood-exports-surpass-record-06-01

“Major Ice Breakers Of The World” Evidence Some Nations’ ‘Think Ahead’ Maritime Policies

News Analysis: The United States Coast Guard has created a very telling Chart: “MAJOR ICEBREAKERS OF THE WORLD”.  It shows an absolute World Maritime Dominance by Russia in Numbers of Vessels and Variety of Power Plants Second to None.

One might ask: “If the United States Navy has so many Aircraft Carriers, Submarines, other ships, why were “Cold Sea” Vessels forgotten by the Pentagon?” Surely having Alaska as America’s 49th State should have compelled the question being asked, one might surmise. Additionally, when America’s vaunted Oil Companies knew about Arctic Ocean Mineral Possibilities (from their Prudhoe Bay experience) would not the Pentagon (or the Department of Homeland Security)  be advised that Icebreakers might be needed?

Now, decades later, America, with its $17+ Trillion Dollars in Debt can ill-afford building new Ice Breakers.  Assistance, if needed (by vessels stranded in the Northern Sea Route from Alaskan waters to Europe) can be provided by Russia. 

The U.S. Coast Guard should have Icebreakers built to handle future needs in colder American Waters. Historically its Members are always up to ANY RUGGED TASK that may befall them. Now, can the Admirals in the Pentagon show a little foresight  and Request Future Year  Funding for New-Buildings for Icy Conditions Sailing in Northern Waters?

Presently America’s Military in the Pentagon is decades behind the Russians in Ice Breaker Technology (and Vessels) as well as in Foresight, some people say.

Reality.

Reference: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg552/images/130220%20Icebreaker%20Chart.pdf

Fiji: Investing “Small” Might Bring “Large” Profits

News Analysis: Fiji consists of 332 Islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited by 900,000+/- people. It covers an area of 18,274 Km2 (7,055 Mi2). Its Capital of Suva has over 174,000 residents. Fiji’s population distribution of those on each of the Inhabited Islands average 6,661. This South Pacific Ocean Area is definitely in an infrastructure need of Island-to-Island Transportation.

Fiji has a Gross Domestic Product of over $4.3 Billion Dollars. As such, there is money ($4,800 Per Capita) to be spent on Island-to-Island ridership by Fijians.

Presently, there is an apparent Dearth of Transportation available to the widely-dispersed Population. Investors may want to consider partnering with reputable Marine Experienced individuals in Fiji. After acquiring Requisite Licensing and Sea-Worthy Vessels the  hauling of  both Freight and Passengers throughout the Islands can occur.

Large Tuna Fish grow from Small Eggs.

Reality.

Reference: