Germany Gains Only Tenth of Norwegian, Danish Merchant Ships

Northern Advocate, 4 May 1940, Page 7

Germany Gains Only Tenth of Norwegian, Danish Merchant Ships

LONDON, May 2. In connection with the fact that Germany has gained only a little over 1,000,000 of the 6,000,000 tons wlu'ch comprised the Mercantile Marine of Denmark and Norway, it is pointed out that, whereas there are four ports from which German-owned ships can sail without much hope of return —so that most of their ships will prove of little value —the Allies’ gains, on the other hand, besides being more substantial, will be effective. Since the present Danish Government i's under German control, Dam ish vessels are technically of enemy character, and are being seized as prizes. They can no longer trade with neutral rights under the Danish flag, and if encountered will be seized and transferred to Allied flags. Will be Taken Over by Allies. On a recent date there were 102 Danish ships in United Kingdom ports, 37 in British ports overseas and 22 in French home and colonial ports. All these vessels, and no doubt others still at sea, will be taken over by the Allies, with the important provision that compensation will: be'-paid for their use under arrangements designed to avoid benefiting Germany. With regard to Norway, there is a large part of her mercantile marine which is no longer neutral, but-is sailing under Allied flags. Norway’s Merchant Fleet. According to the last Lloyd’s list, Norway’s merchant fleet, excluding sailing vessels, totals 1987 vessels of 4,833,813 gross tons. All but one-sixth of this tonnage is still active and outside German control.

With the full approval of the Norwegian legation and shipowners, Norwegian representatives, together with leaders of the British Merchant Navy, the Officers’ Federation and the National Union of Seamen, have formed a co-ordinating committee to manage the affairs of the Norwegian merchant fleet until the position in Norway returns to normal.