The Press TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1965. Savings On Ocean Freights

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30682, 23 February 1965, Page 12

The Press TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1965. Savings On Ocean Freights

Twelve months ago, the report of the streamlining committees called for more effective programming of the shipping services to New Zealand. One of the principal recommendations was that most overseas ships should load and discharge at no more than two ports. The time spent travelling from one port to another in New Zealand waters, in berthing and casting off, and in all the other operations incidental to each port of call is non-productive. The shipping lines’ representatives on the committees estimated that savings by reducing non-productive time would, in due course, total about £1 million. The aim of reducing the number of ports of cr.ll on each voyage was not altogether new, for the shipping companies had, in 1963-64, introduced a programme cutting the number of calls well below the 1962-63 total. Publication of the streamlining report gave fresh impetus to their efforts. In 1964, according to the Exports and Shipping Council, ports of call for ships discharging and loading were reduced by 17 per cent compared with 1963; and ports of call for vessels loading only by 26 per cent. Shipping companies estimate that the reduction in the ports of call since before streamlining started has already achieved an annual saving of £1 million a year. That saving, unfortunately, has been largely offset by increased costs over the last two years: but without the saving freight rates would inevitably have been further increased.

Another important recommendation of the committees was the introduction of shift work on the wharves. “We think that the hours of work should “ be reduced to a more normal working day, and “ that to enable this to be done shift working should “ be introduced ”, the report said. . the turn “ round time of ships would be reduced substantially “by the adoption of shift work ”. The recent acceptance by waterside workers’ unions of the principle of ten-hour shifts is progress in that direction. The shipping lines and their customers should be well pleased with the unions’ decision, which will ensure a better distribution of labour throughout the working day. Waterside workers, too, will benefit from a shortening of their working day with no loss of pay.

These two instances of action on the recommendations of the streamlining committees serve to show the continuing value of their work. Much remains to be done, of course; but a good start has been made.