LOGBOOK GLEANINGS

Evening Star, Issue 23497, 10 February 1940, Page 8

LOGBOOK GLEANINGS

SWEDISH SEA-BORNE TRADE ' DIVERSION THROUGH NORWAY PROPOSED TO EVADE BRITISH CONTRABAND FORMALITIES [By First Mate.] Extension of minefields, well as other forms of maritime warfare in the Baltic and North Sea, have placed the foreign trade of Sweden in a very precarious position (states the Association : of Swedish Industrial Manufacturers). The risks and cost of sea-borne trade have risen to such an extent that other trade routes will have to be found than those followed, in peace, even if this change should involve radical departures from normal practice. The association strongly supports a new scheme, by which a substantial portion of Sweden’s foreign trade would henceforth bo directed via Trondheim, Norwav. Tho goods would be carried to and from the Atlantic port over the trunk railway line Trondheim-Storlien-Ostersund'■■which, if fully electrified, should he a bio to cope with the considtraffic that would result;-.. X, ,

Stili more.importance is attached to the other essential port on the Norwegian west coast, Bergen, which is expected to become the big transit trade centre, of North Europe. Its significance in this respect was considerably increased as a result of the recent change of the United States Neutrality Act. Bergen is the only large port in North and Central Europe which is ■ituated outside the zone " prohibited " -to United States merchant ships, and therefore the obvious European terminal of United States cargo and passenger services. The Baltic schedule of the Sc'antic Line has already been adjusted, to the new situation, so that goods are not being carried farther than but transhipped there to all North European ports-where the company's ships used to call. Other United States companies that are expected to make Bergen their North European base are United States Lines, Black Diamond Lines, Southern States Lines, Likes Brothers' Lines, Yankee Line, and America-France Line. It is stated that by choosing a course deviating a few hundred miles from the ordinary North Atlantic trade' routes, it is hoped to evade British contraband control formalities, even though, of course, every effort will be made to comply with the British rules of economic warfare. The port of Bergen is in an excellent state, and, according to the harbour master, quite capable of handling a bigger turnover. Eight or even 10 large ships, it is claimed, could easily be accommodated simultaneously along with the smaller ships to which then cargoes would be transferred for distribution to European ports in the " :»rohibitcd zone." The city of Bergen is preparing to assume its new role of North European transit trade centre. WAR AFFECTS IRISH TRADE War has taken its toll of the Irish •hipping trade, particularly in the *outh, where the ports are almost isolated, owing to the restrictions imposed by the United States Government on their shipping, and to the fact that convoys go direct to British ports. It was reported at a meeting of the Cork Harbour Board, for instance, that in October last the pilotage services had to be run at a loss, receipts being £3OO down on the same month's total for the previous year. The Eire diplomatic representative in Washington lias been making strong efforts to have the decision of the United States Government amended. Cross-Channel shipping is not alfecteu to the same extent. Irish supplies being vital, there is some heavy traffic, but that has not prevented an all-round increase in the sea rates for merchandise and live stock.