Investigating the Co-Movement and Asymmetric Relationships of Oil Prices on the Shipping Stock Returns: Evidence from Three Shipping-Flagged Companies from Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan.

In the last 2 years, there has been a significant upswing in oil prices, leading to a decline in economic activity and demand. This trend holds substantial implications for the global economy, particularly within the emerging business landscape. Among the influential risk factors impacting the returns of shipping stocks, none looms larger than the volatility in oil prices. Yet, only a limited number of studies have explored the complex relationship between oil price shocks and the dynamics of the liner shipping industry, with specific focus on uncertainty linkages and potential diversification strategies. This study aims to investigate the co-movements and asymmetric associations between oil prices (specifically, West Texas Intermediate and Brent) and the stock returns of three prominent shipping companies from Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan. The results unequivocally highlight the indispensable role of oil prices in shaping both short-term and long-term shipping stock returns. In addition, the research underscores the statistical significance of exchange rates and interest rates in influencing these returns, with their effects varying across different time horizons. Notably, shipping stock prices exhibit heightened sensitivity to positive movements in oil prices, while exchange rates and interest rates exert contrasting impacts, one being positive and the other negative. These findings collectively illuminate the profound influence of market sentiment regarding crucial economic indicators within the global shipping sector.

Assessing coastal bathymetry and climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems using Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery.

Coastal ecosystems are facing heightened risks due to human-induced climate change, including rising water levels and intensified storm events. Accurate bathymetry data is crucial for assessing the impacts of these threats. Traditional data collection methods can be cost-prohibitive. This study investigates the feasibility of using freely accessible Landsat and Sentinel satellite imagery to estimate bathymetry and its correlation with hydrographic chart soundings in Port Klang, Malaysia. Through analysis of the blue and green spectral bands from the Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 datasets, a bathymetry map of Port Klang's seabed is generated. The precision of this derived bathymetry is evaluated using statistical metrics like Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and the coefficient of determination. The results reveal a strong statistical connection (R2 = 0.9411) and correlation (R2 = 0.7958) between bathymetry data derived from hydrographic chart soundings and satellite imagery. This research not only advances our understanding of employing Landsat imagery for bathymetry assessment but also underscores the significance of such assessments in the context of climate change's impact on coastal ecosystems. The primary goal of this research is to contribute to the comprehension of Landsat imagery's utility in bathymetry evaluation, with the potential to enhance safety protocols in seaport terminals and provide valuable insights for decision-making concerning the management of coastal ecosystems amidst climate-related challenges. The findings of this research have practical implications for a wide range of stakeholders involved in coastal management, environmental protection, climate adaptation and disaster preparedness.