Infospectrum Insights

We've spent a long time talking about liquidity demands in the bunker sector. The challenges faced by ship operators, which we've discussed in earlier blogs are not dissimilar. The failure of a number of small and large-scale ship operators in 2019 has shone a light on how reliant ship operators are on access to funding. 

Last month’s drone strike on Saudi Arabian oil production facilities demonstrated once again how global oil supply can be vulnerable to political risks.

This month we were in conversation with Efthymios Yfantis, Senior Analyst at Infospectrum’s London office, who shared what it’s like to work in shipping along with his industry predictions for the year ahead.

Having sharpened its game against a number of small targets dealing with Syria, North Korea and Venezuela, the United States Government pulled out the big guns last week, with the implementation of sanctions against a member of one of the world's largest shipping companies.

IMO 2020 seems to be providing oil majors and refiners with huge opportunity to return to being a force in retail bunkering. Let's hope they are up for it.

On 9th September 2019, Infospectrum welcomed over 100 guests to its London Counterparty Risk Forum at 30 Euston Square, providing attendees with unique shipping industry insights and the latest trends shaping the sector. 

The UK’s seemingly endless deliberation over how to leave the EU could be nearing its conclusion. Among the permutations is the “no-deal” scenario whereby the UK would leave and revert to trading with external partners under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. It’s a daunting prospect for everyone, and oil traders and credit professionals are no exception.

Yes, we know, yet another article/thought piece/white paper about IMO 2020. And probably somewhere in your mind you are thinking ‘will I get this time back again?’

Since joining Infospectrum in 2009, Marina Lebedeva has worked in Oxford, London, and now Hamburg, where she heads our recently-launched office, developing and expanding the team’s global reach. We caught up with her to find out more.

The oil tanker market has always had its fair share of challenges. Volatile oil prices and political uncertainties, risks of spillages and cancelled projects dampening demand for capacity…they all add to the unpredictable nature of the sector and pose obvious and well-recognised risks. But, as if that wasn’t enough, tanker owners are facing fresh challenges.