World Perspectives

Freight Ignores Geopolitics

Iran is seizing foreign-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. is shooting down drones in the region. Analysts say that Tehran is intentionally driving up oil prices to obtain global pushback against the American sanctions that are crippling the Iranian economy. They also warn that attacking shipping in the region will cause an increase in contracted freight rates due to the hike in insurance war risk premia.  During past periods of high-level geopolitical tension in the region, the London-based War Risks Rating Committee allowed that premium to nearly double. However, the threat to tanker rates does not appear to have carried over to the bulkers that would be carrying grain. In fact, the charts below show little change...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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