Enter the dragon

Will the forthcoming Lunar New Year herald a year as auspicious and lucky as the dragon is believed to represent? Splash Extra’s special correspondent takes some expert advice.

Forecasting is getting a much more complicated business. With 40 national elections due to take place this year, a more tense geopolitical situation than many of us have ever witnessed and plenty of economic headwinds to contend with, professional analysts and soothsayers have got their work cut out to provide accurate guidance for the year ahead. As the Year of the Dragon approaches, Splash Extra pushed the spreadsheets and reports to one side and sought predictions based on the principles of Chinese Feng Shui.

Last year, we quizzed our resident Feng Shui master on some specific shipping issues as opposed to general forecasts. Notably, we asked him if the Year of the Rabbit was a good time for those born under the sign of the Wood Monkey and the Horse to get together. With the two leading protagonists in the long-running Euronav saga being born under those respective signs, it was a highly pertinent question. Our expert suggested that on the basis of their birth signs, an agreement would be reached during the Year of the Rabbit. Sure enough, by year-end, a solution had been found. You read it here first, so pay attention to our Year of the Dragon forecast.

As well as being the quintessential Chinese symbol, the dragon is the luckiest and most auspicious of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. After a few tough years, the energy and vitality of the dragon will be even more pronounced with this being the year of the Wood Dragon. Experts predict a time for fresh starts and the laying of foundations for long-term accomplishments – the dragon thrives on audacious goals, challenges and pushing boundaries – don’t be afraid to dream big. With the flurry of big-ticket tanker and LNG orders being reported in the run-up to the Lunar New Year, it seems clear that this is already being embraced by a few major owners. Whether their timing is a bit early remains to be seen – our Feng Shui master suggested that the prime time to acquire a ship is after April 12. Given that date is just a couple of weeks before the bulk carrier industry gathers for the Geneva Dry conference, we should maybe expect a flurry of deal-making on the shores of Lake Geneva in early May.

Overall, our expert forecasts a good year for shipping, but his one note of caution was to tread carefully in the Pacific and Indian Ocean in the second half of the year. He wouldn’t elaborate on whether he foresaw geopolitical issues in the region or just a particularly hard typhoon season as being the reason for his warning, so we will watch with interest how things evolve in the second half of the year.

The complexities of the Chinese zodiac and how it affects different individuals in different years is one of the reasons Feng Shui masters are permanently in such demand. While the Year of the Dragon is always considered special for everyone, those born in the year of the Rat and the Tiger are warned of challenges ahead, but when quizzed on which shipowners were likely to enjoy good fortune in the coming 12 months, he opted for those born in the year of the Ox and the Snake. With the acquisition of Eagle Bulk moving towards completion, does this signify another accretive year ahead for Star Bulk’s leader? Whatever your birth animal, may the Year of the Dragon be one of health, happiness and prosperity. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Published on the last Wednesday of every month and priced for as little as $200 a year, Splash Extra serves as a concise monthly snapshot, ensuring readers are on top of where the shipping markets are headed. For more details on Splash Extra subscriptions, click here.