NEW TONNAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22099, 1 November 1933, Page 4

NEW TONNAGE

SHIPS ON ORDER NEW ZEALAND CARGO TRADE. Much new, tonnage will be seen in New Zealand waters next year. At the present time nearly a dozen vessels are being built to the order of companies directly interested in the trade of the Dominion. It is worthy of note that ‘ all blit one ot the new vessels on order are motor ships. One large motor ship is being built for the well-known Commonwealth and Dominion Line’’; the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, whose association with the New Zealand trade goes back to the days of sail, has two on order; another two are to be added to the fleet of the New Zealand Shipping Company, which can also look back to the days before steam ousted sail; the Federal Steam Navigation Company was recently reported to have placed a similar order, although this has not been confirmed; a 900-ton motor ship is being constructed for the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company ; and the Slue Star Line, which will shortly enter into the Home trade competition, has let a contract for two. The only steamer being built is a 2000ton vessel for the Union Steam Ship Company. All these contracts have been arranged within the last seven months. Not for many years has there been such activity in shipbuilding among companies operating in this part of the world. In these days of keen competition, it seems, the companies realise that their fleets must be kept up to date if they are to remain on the map. Without exception the call has been for new ships, larger and faster than their predecessors, and the letting of the numerous contracts' represents the shipping companies’ answer to the call. The average estimat ed speed of the vessels' being built for the Commonwealth and Dominion Line, the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, and the New Zealand Shipping Company, is said to be approximately 16 knots, and it has been claimed that the new Blue Star ships will be a knot faster. Generally the shipbuilding: outlook appears much brighter than it has done for some years. Many companies, it seems, are likely to scrap old tonnage and place orders for new vessels. In a recent article the Motor Ship said: “ gome Important orders for cargo tonnage have recently been placed, and we have no hesitation in predicting that, once the ship owners of the world bc'come confirmed in their growing belief that a change for the better is manifesting itself, the volume of inquiries for new tonnage will increase out ot all proportion to any apparently logical demand based on actual increased shipments,’’