In many companies one of the most important methods to decide how it is doing is to examine the logistics or operations. On You Tube, watched a documentary about Jerome, Arizona. The town is beside a mountain called Cleopatra Hill which contain billions of copper for the United Verde Mine and paid over $200 million in dividends to its owner William Clark who was one of the richest men in America from 1888-1925. After Mr. Clark died, the mine was bought by Phelps Dodge Corporation. Before Mr. Clark, people knew about the copper, but it was located 26 mines from the nearest railroad and none of the land was flat. It cost Mr. Clark $100 million to build a railroad for those 26 mines and then the mine was profitable.

In an article by Jenny Gross and Peter Eavis of the New York Times News Service, President Trump announced the Strait of Hormuz will be open for regular shipping. That is good news, because it is one of the chokepoints around the world that needs to be open for shippers to move goods around the world.

Just do not expect a steady stream of traffic to start the following week. It will take longer.

S.V. Anchan, Chair of Safesea Goup believes there are lot of questions that need to be clarified. He needs a clear commitment from Iran they will not attack his ships.

Harry Vafias, CEO of StealthGas said Let’s hope this time it is for real.

Kpler, a ship tracking firm said 500 large commercial vessels remain in the gulf.

Andreas Enger, CEO of the Norwegian shipping company Hoegh Autoliners, said news of the agreement alone was not enough to allow for the immediate resumption of ships through the straight.

Let’s us hope it is the start. The process could take weeks or even months for him to feel comfortable sending ships into the Persian Gulf.

Jakob P Larsen, chief security officer at Bimco, the world’s largest shipping association, wants a neutral body such as the International Maritime Organization to identify safe routes and a sequence for ships to exit.

Do ships hug the Iranian coast or the Omani coastline? who will sweep the Strait for mines? Safety is the big concern.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, for the investments you make, pay attention to the logistics, does the company get its products and services to customers when they want it and will use it? Many years ago, read an article about someone who was shopping at a store and saw a run in a ladies stocking on the mannequins. It was a symptom or sign the company was in trouble because the standards were slipping. As an investor you need to keep your eyes open.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.