OVERSEAS SHIPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26849, 13 August 1948, Page 4

OVERSEAS SHIPS

FIRST PORTS OF GALL TRANSHIPMENT PROBLEM In .response to frequent representations made to overseas shipping companies, more ships loading, in London had made South Island ports the first ports of discharge, thus obviating teanshipments in the north and giving local importers quicker, delivery, says the annual report of the Otago Importers and Shippers' Association, During the year there were again many instances of Otago importers being seriously handicapped owing to shipments being transhipped at northern ports, with a consequent delay m delivery and a greatly increased risk of both damage and pillage, and also a further congestion of coastal shipping, the report adds. Largely because of' the smallness of tonnage for the South Island compared with the North, it was not possible to change the schedule of sailings from the West of England or North America from the present order of discharge beginning at Auckland and working south. "As long as the present congestion continues at the port of Auckland, due to stoppages and slowness of discharge, we will be faced with fairly long dedays in the delivery of such cargo,” the report concludes. ' ■