Economic indicator?

[unipax]

Economic indicator the MSM apparently arent reporting

The biggest and most secretive gathering of ships in maritime history lies at anchor east of Singapore. Never before photographed, it is bigger than the U.S. and British navies combined but has no crew, no cargo and no destination

Revealed: The ghost fleet of the recession
13 September 2009, by Simon Parry (Mail Onlime)
http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/2787-revealed-the-ghost-fleet-of-the-recession

[Norval]

Great find there, ,

Wow ! ! Now THAT IS an economic indicator if I ever saw one. I was aware of some of the information in the article, but not to the extent it gives. Good reason to try and keep it out of the public's eye too, ,

[sfth13]

I did a search on this and it's happening outside Baltimore, Phillipines as well a Greece to name a few.. many car carriers are empty as the stockpile of new cars swells as demand falls...
i have also noticed that the company I work for which manufactures AC and Refrigeration systems and Services for the maritime industry has slowed down. all service and new sales for commercial ships.. is pretty mucj non-exsistant. the only activity we have is Military. and not just the U.S.....

[Norval]

, , , more truth be known as to how bad it is really getting, ,

[Norval]

Thanks Unipax, I've kinda missed yah around here. Yer a boat savvy person and they're a hard to find kind. It was quite an eye opener to discover the amount of ships going into "storage." Thanks.

[unipax]

You're welcome Norval !

Yah that "ghost fleet" surely was an eye opener.
I wonder what other such strikingly fundamental indicators are around.

[Norval]

Now that's a good question, What else would show a major downturn in the economy?

I'll have to ask some trucker friends about their work.

[unipax]

Wish I recall the name but I heard (surprisingly) on radio about an indicator of economic activity which predicted the world economy's condition some months or a year+ ahead.

It too was marine related. It was about figures on tonnage of certain cargoes. It was more basic raw material type stuff that were not being shipped as usual.
The radio report was a few months ago, at least 6 months ago I think.

[sfth13]

I think that is the Baltic Dry Index.

http://www.wikinvest.com/index/Baltic_Dry_Index_-_BDI_(BALDRY)

[sfth13]

here's a US debt clock i found...

http://www.usdebtclock.org/

[Norval]

The Baltic Dry Index at 5 years on the graph was interesting, thanks.

, , , and that Debt Clock was just plain scary ! ! !

The truckers are down by 20-30%, they say, and many are looking into other retirement jobs now because they don't see it getting any better over the next five years, , , hmmmm.

[unipax]

Hhmmm is right

and thanx for baltic dry index Harley guy

[sfth13]

your welcome Unipax.. was that the one you were trying to remember?

[unipax]

your welcome Unipax.. was that the one you were trying to remember?
yep
thnx again HG
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