NEW SHIPS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 30 November 1933, Page 3

NEW SHIPS

IN AUSTRALIAN TRADE 25,000-TON ORIENT LINEII As the shipbuilding market in Great Britain is lavoiirablo at present to the purchase of new tonnage, it is likely that orders will shortly be placed in British yards lor several new ships for the Australian services (says the Melbourne “Agus”). It is slated that by 1934- the available world tonnage will, have fallen to 65,000,000, the, level of 1927, compared with 70 millions in 1931. ’•’be figures for new orders to 3011) .September, 1933, arc reported by Lloyd’s Register ol Shipping to have increased materially compared witii the same ,-marid- in 1932.

Following extensive investigations into the future, .requirements of flic Australian tradtq the Orient Steam Navigation Company has invited tenders for the construction of a new liner for the Australian service. Although nothing definite lias yet been decided, it is understood- that the new vessel will be of 25,000 tons register, with larger clock space even than the present Orient) liners and with improved refrigerated cargo space. Accommodation for first saloon and tourist class passqngers will he provided. The new liner will probably replace (lie Orsova. which is the- oldest, liner and also the only coal-burning vnsol of the Orient Mail Heel. Should the oider he placed within the next few months, the new liner will probably make her maiden voyage to Australia in 1935.

Inquiries, ,‘t iy understood, were made some time ago for a new vessel for the Bass Strait service, but. it is learned that an order will he given for a highspeed geared turbine vessel, plans for which ■ have already been completed. The order wiil probably be placed shortly with a British .shipbuilding firm. This vessel would replace the (Jonah on the Tasmaniau service. The plans of the new ship include a largo number of single, berth cabins aud special facilities for the transhipment of cars. Larger than the Nairana, and Loongana, it will ho of shallow draught to navigate the Tamar River. Its length will bo about 350 ft.

Two new cargo motor-ships have been ordered for tin; Federal Steam Navigation Company. They will be built at the yards of Workman Clark, and Co., at Belfast. It is stated that they will bo the, fastest and largest cargo vessels iu the. Australian service. Each will

have a carrying capacity of 13,000 tons, with 462,000 cubic feet of insulated space and 2G0.000 cubic feet for general cargo. Dnlgoty and Co., agent for the Shaw, Savill, and Albion line, have been informed -Ihat (lie construction of two large'motor-ships for the line is being iindo.rt.nken in tlio yards of Ilarlaml and Wolff Ltd., Belfast. The new vessels will be used for meal, carrying, direct from New Zealand and Australia. In February the first of the two new Holland-Australia liners will leave. her homo port, Rotterdam, on her maiden voyage |,o Australia. Both vessejs will have accommodation for between o 0 an I 40 passengers, aud will replace two of the older vessels in the Australian service.

Although no announcement lias been made, it is believed that I lie Melbourne Steamship Company and I lie Adelaide Steamship Company are considering the purchase of new vessels for the interstate passenger and cargo trade.