HAPPY NEW YEAR

With Our Best Wishes - from the editor

We are leaving another year behind.

Years later, when we all grow older, especially those of us, who are heavily involved in international shipping will remember 2022, a milestone year with full of challenges and I am certain that we will tell each other stories whilst sipping our drinks, and remember the times when some of us paid exactly $30,000 to move a single container from China to United States in 2022.

Alas, the history is made up of cycles; everything begins, grows and eventually one day, it ends. We will of course discuss more in the new year the reasons and impacts of the big and very sudden burst in global freight rates, simply a free fall from historically high levels to a new level, much lower, but probably nobody knows where exactly it will land on. While some cargo interests are now cheering up for the new low levels, some are cautious because that also means there is less demand for transportation and that could also mean we are looking ahead at a stressed global economy and recession in 2023.

But, we will save those subjects for another time, as we now celebrate the beginning of the new year. According to Chinese calendar, 2023 is the Year of Rabbit and for Chinese people, rabbit is a tame creature representing hope and life for a long time. People born in the year of rabbit are believed to be gentle, smooth and approachable so, let's hope for a gentler and a smoother year in 2023.

We will end the last blog of 2022 by saluting all those shipping men who will be working hard to deliver goods for humanity worldwide during this very special time of the year. While many of us will be spending the New Year's with our loved ones and friends at the comfort of our homes, some of us will be battling the high waves crossing the oceans, or attending to cargo operations at some terminal below zero degree temperatures or changing the flat tire of a truck with some cargo on. We thank all those who put their hearts in this business every day, delivering essentials to all of us.

Thank you for being with us in 2022 and wish you all a Happy New Year.