SHIPBUILDING REVIVAL

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 83, 6 January 1928, Page 13

SHIPBUILDING REVIVAL

ACTIVITY IN BRITISH YARDS

There is a definite revival in the British shipbuilding industry, and considerable activity is evident in all the important centres. According to the Department of Overseas Trade British shipbuilders are now meeting ■ foreign competition more successfully, and as there is in many instances little difference in prices quoted, it is hoped that additional orders from foreign owners will result, such orders being very essential to ensure continuous activity in the yards. Wear shipyards launched 21 vessels in the first ten months of 1927, a big advance on the year 1926, when only eight vessels were launched. The total tonnage launched on the Wear since January 1 was approximately 104,000, and a few additional launches took place before the end of the year. A remarkably large output of tonnage by Clyde shipyards during October, 1927, was recorded. From an output of about 38,000 tons in that district during August, the amount launched rose to 57,000 tons in September, while in October the output of new tonnage was 73,000 tons, which figure brings the total for the Clyde district for the ten months to about 333,000 tons. If the launchings for the remaining two months of the year compared favourably with those’of October, the year’s output for the Clyde would practically reach the high level of pre-war years. A number of inquiries for new vessels are in circulation on the northeast coast, and there is a feeling of confidence that a steady flow of new orders will result. Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson, of Wallsend, in securing an order for five more Great Lakes steamers ol 2300 tons_ each for Canadian Lakes Steamship Lines Ltd., have considerably increased their new construction programme. The machinery for these five vessels will also be manufactured by the firm. The Wallsend firm have built more than 50 vessels of this type up to the present. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co. have 12 oil tankers under construction, and these, when completed, will bring the firm’s total of tankers constructed since the introduction of this type of vessel up to 154. Caininell Laird and Co., Birkenhead, have secured the contract for the construction of two vessels for the CanadaWest Indies trade. This contract is in addition to that for three vessels recently awarded to this company by the same owners. The United Kingdom company’s tender scored both on cost and delivery considerations. The Jadranska’ Plovidba, D.D. of Susak, Jugo-Slavia, have placed with the Clvde Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Port Glasgow, an order for a passenger and cargo steamer of about 3000 tons d.w. The vessel will have triple expansion reciprocating engines. This is the first order placed by this company since the war.