IN D U ST RY N EW S Trade war fears shake shipping condence Concerns over international trade wars and increased regulation have led to a downturn in condence in the shipping sector, according to the latest Shipping Condence Survey from leading industry adviser and accountant BDO. The overall average level of condence in the three months to May, 2019 was 6.1 out of 10, down from 6.2 in February. Condence grew from 5.8 to 6.0 in Asia and rose from 5.6 to 6.4; while in Europe it fell from 6.3 to 6.1. Richard Greiner, Partner, Shipping & Transport at BDO, said: A small dip in condence is not surprising given the recent volatility generated by the US-China trade wars, the heightened tension in the Arabian Gulf, the failure to conclude Brexit negotiations and general political instability in many parts of the world. Markets love volatility, but it can have an adverse effect on condence. He added that trade wars were a theme for the quarter, with other recurring topics including the cost and technical implications of complying with existing and incipient regulations. In spite of the challenges, he said, positive factors include new technology making shipping more attractive to investors, and increasing the pace and extent of recycling in the industry. Visit https://bit.ly/2XCBc7T to download the report. NEW CONTAINER TERMINAL OPENS IN MOROCCO The APM Terminals MedPort Tangier container terminal in Morocco has opened. Part of the Tanger Med Port complex, the new terminal has an annual capacity of ve million 20-foot equivalents. A spokesperson for the company said: With this new capacity, Morocco is establishing itself as one of the most important transhipment locations in the world. Tanger Med Port is already ranked as the leading African port and is among the worlds top 50 container ports because of its prime location along key trade lanes and increasing cargo ows to and from Africa. The MedPort Tangier facility took two years to build, with a total investment of US$800 million. CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF LATIN AND CARIBBEAN MOVING Members of the Latin American and Caribbean International Movers Association (LACMA) have helped the organisation celebrate its 50th anniversary. The event was held to honour the founders of LACMA, its 27 presidents and other people who have contributed to its success. It included a dinner held under a full snow moon in old Panama City, the site of the first city founded by Spanish settlers on the Pacific side of the country. LACMA also held its general 10 FF292 AugSep19 pp08-15 News.indd 10 assembly, where outgoing President Sebastian Laporta of Ward Van Lines (Chile), handed over the position to the newly elected President for 2019-2021, Miguel Florez of Aviomar (Colombia). Also at the meeting, Patrick Heinimann of Intermud, who directed the LACMA Next group for four years, passed on the leadership to Luis Holst of Mudanzas Mundiales (Costa Rica), who was elected the new LACMA Next President. WWW. F I D I . OR G 15/07/2019 14:39