Baltic Press - Baltic Transport Journal

Baltic Transport Journal seeks an editor-in-chief

BTJ announces an open contest for the position of an editor-in-chief. The candidates should possess very good editorial skills and a fluent command of English. Proper knowledge and understanding of transport, experience in international publishing and managing skills will be appreciated. Prospective candidates are asked to provide a curriculum vitae and a brief plan for the future of BTJ to Piotr Trusiewicz, at piotr@baltictransportjournal.com. The due date for nominations and applications is August 31, 2008.

As you might have already noticed in recent editions of the Baltic Transport Journal, we ask industry managers and experts about important topics surrounding BSR transport.

Now, there is one thing which particularly absorbs the industry’s attention: the rise in oil prices and its effect on shipping. Hence, this time we are asking several important market players if there is something like a “point of no return” in oil prices, after which they severely change the shipping market.

Is there a “point of no return” in oil prices when they hit shipping and what will happen when the prices go beyond that?

Andres Hunt, Vice-chairman of the management board of AS Tallink Grupp:
It is impossible to give the one and only “breaking point” in oil prices, as it is all linked to the business models, routes, and fleets of the companies. Depending on these issues, the effect will also vary. [read more]

Lone Fønss Schrøder, President and CEO of Wallenius Lines AB:
The world will always adjust itself to new conditions, but in different ways. There is no shipping company in the world that is able to absorb the recent oil price increases. We need full bunker compensation from our customers. [read more]

Jacek Wisniewski, Executive Shipping Director of Euroafrica Shipping Lines Co. Ltd.
I am afraid the current levels of oil prices are getting closer and closer to the critical point which may cause some disturbances on the liner shipping market. Liner shipping is particularly vulnerable to the increases of the running costs, as the freight rates do not fluctuate as much as those from tramp shipping. [read more]

Niels Stolberg, President and CEO of Beluga Shipping GmbH:
There cannot be such a thing like a “point of no return”, even though the oil prices certainly keep setting new records. Luckily, project cargo shipping will continue since there is increased demand worldwide. [read more]