U.K. Shipyards ‘Disappointed’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31041, 22 April 1966, Page 11

U.K. Shipyards ‘Disappointed’

(Special Crspdt. NZPA.) LONDON, April 21. British shipyards are “disappointed” that the New Zealand Shipping Company has decided to order ships from Japan, rather than stick to its traditional builders, says “Lloyds List and Shipping Gazette.” In its weekly yard review, correspondents in Glasgow and Sunderland say shipbuilders had hoped the orders would be given to them.

The newspaper's Glasgow correspondent says: “Disappointment at the news that the New Zealand Shipping Company had placed their first orders in Japan was felt particularly in the Clyde, where it broke a

business link of almost a century between them and Alexander Stephen and Sons, Linthouse.” Stephens built the company’s first ship, the Piako, of 1075 tons, and continued

• building ships up till 1962, ■ when they built the third ■ Piako of 9986 tons. The correspondent says the • yard had too much work in , hand to meet the delivery I date required.

There was disappointment at the news that the orders had gone to Japan, although there was no official comment from Bartrams, who had hoped to receive orders for two new refrigerated cargo ships. The yard produced a prototype of a new class in the Taupo, which was the first of the three vessels which has already been handed over. The New Zealand Shipping Company decided to giVe the orders to Japan for three reasons: The Japanese prices were more favourable, their delivery dates are more reliable, and they offered satisfactory credit terms.