Shipping confidence

Shipping confidence reached its equal highest rating in the past three years in the three months to the end of May 2017, according to the latest Shipping Confidence Survey from accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens. The average confidence level expressed by respondents to the survey was up to 6.1 out of 10 from the 5.6 recorded in the previous survey in February 2017. Increased confidence was recorded by all main categories of respondents to the survey, which launched in May 2008 with an overall confidence rating of 6.8. A number of respondents expressed cautious optimism about the industry’s fortunes in the next 12 months. Concern persisted, however, about political uncertainty, overtonnaging in certain trades, depressed oil prices and a potential dearth of quality seafarers.