The Strategist – Page 2
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PUBLIC RELATIONS: UPWARDLY MOBILE ON THE BUSINESS AGENDA
Public Relations (PR), in the world of instant news and online media, has risen up the list of day-to-day business priorities.
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A SIMPLISTIC VIEW OF A COMPLEX PROBLEM
The National Shipper Advisory Committee, an advisory group to the USA’s Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is proposing that FMC extend its authority to cover the demurrage fees charged by ports and railroads.
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SANTOS: TO HUB OR NOT TO HUB?
Does the port of Santos, Brazil have what it takes to achieve major hub status? An interesting question in itself but all the more interesting as it is an issue that has a major bearing on the forthcoming off er of a new concession, STS10, for container handling as well as on the planned privatisation of the port management body.
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DPW-P&O FERRIES: WHAT CODE OF ETHICS?
DP World, owner of P&O Ferries, has gone to the trouble of publishing an eight-page document on its Code of Ethics, the openings words of which state: “DP World’s intention is to create a culture of honesty and openness…”
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“WAR IS THE UNFOLDING OF MISCALCULATIONS(1)”
There is only one place to go in this column this month – Ukraine.
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EARNINGS BONANZA BUT LITTLE SHARED LARGESSE
There is no shortage of reports about the record earnings that shipping lines have chalked up in 2021 and which are forecast to continue in 2022. There are few signs, however, that common user terminals will see any associated benefits.
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POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES IN THE PANDEMIC ERA
Just as we can cite at an individual level positives and negatives flowing out of the pandemic era – more flexible working arrangements versus travel and social interaction restrictions for example – the container sector is also delivering these plus and minus factors.
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UNCTAD: TIMID POLICY, OR WORSE BACKSLIDING, COULD PULL DOWN GROWTH
The recently released UNCTAD Trade and Development Report 2021 draws some hard-hitting conclusions. In a financial and trade context it notes:
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INDIA: DICHOTOMY EMBEDDED IN REFORMS
COMMENT: India has long faced criticism of the tight central control exercised over its 12 so-called Major Ports but now this control has been eased by the recently passed Major Port Authorities Act, 2021. The stated rationale for this, by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is that the ...
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PREPARE THE PUBLIC RELATIONS ENGINE
COMMENT: The shelves are beginning to look a bit thin in my local supermarket – at times products are spaced out to make the shelves look busier, writes Mike Mundy.
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LIVESTOCK REFORMS MOOTED
COMMENT: Anyone who has had the dubious pleasure of standing downwind of a livestock carrier in port will surely empathise with the growing calls for greater scrutiny and regulation of this trade, writes Mike Mundy.
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COLLABORATION NOT CONFRONTATION
COMMENT: Do you get the impression that labour unions as currently formatted in the ports sector are more backward than forward thinking? writes Mike Mundy.
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DON’T FORGET THE LITTLE GUYS
With a lot of port sector engagement with the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ (digitalisation) and advanced strategies to achieve zero emissions being deployed, it is quite easy to forget that there are those ports who have not yet got their heads round the basics on either front, writes Mike Mundy.
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BEHOLD AN ERA OF INNOVATION IS UNDERWAY
COMMENT: The container was probably the last mega innovation in the world of ports and shipping, writes Mike Mundy.
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AUSTRALIA – CHINA COAL SLIP INEVITABLE
COMMENT: Tensions between China and Australia continue and appear to be progressively negatively impacting trading arrangements, writes Mike Mundy.
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NewsNO TO EASY GATES TO GO THROUGH
COMMENT: It is interesting to note that the latest UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport highlights what it sees as the plight of small island states (SIDS), buffeted under the impact of the pandemic and subject to regular shocks as a result of climate change. writes Mike Mundy.
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“WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?”
COMMENT: The spectre of Brexit has somewhat dropped off the radar with the massive focus on COVID-19. It does not mean, however, that Brexit has gone away, writes Mike Mundy.
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MELBOURNE PORT RENTS: LESSONS TO LEARN
COMMENT: The topic of port rents is an interesting one – a subject that does not always get a public airing due to the confidential nature of concession and other lease/rental agreements, writes Mike Mundy.
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KEEPING IT SIMPLE IN A COMPLICATED WORLD
COMMENT: The bedrock of any port’s efficient operations is a strong working relationship between a port authority and its private sector tenants, particularly terminal operators, writes Mike Mundy.
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NOUAKCHOTT PRIVATE DEAL PAIN
COMMENT: The saga at the port of Nouakchott, Mauritania, continues, underlining the point made in the last of issue of PS that negotiated port deals, as opposed to the letting of terminals via public tender, are inherently risky and do little for the public good, writes Mike Mundy.
