SHIPPING GAINS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 187, 4 May 1940, Page 12

SHIPPING GAINS

Danish And Norwegian Merchant Marine BIG ADVANTAGE TO ALLIES (British Official wireless.) (Received May 3, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, May 2. In connexion with the fact that Germany only gained little more than 1.000,000 of the 6,000,000 tons which comprised the mercantile marine of Denmark and Norway, it is pointed out that whereas there are but four ports from which German-owned ships can sail with much hope of return, so that most of their ships will prove of little value, the Allies’ gains will, on the other hand, besides being more substantial, prove effective.

Since the present Danish Government is under German control. Danish 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 will, if encountered, be seized and transferred to Allied flags. 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 and no doubt others still at sea will be taken over by the Allies, with the important proviso 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 Norwegian mercantile marine which is no longer neutral but is sailing under the Allied flags. According to the last Lloyd’s list, Norway's merchant fleet, excluding sailing* vessels, totals 1957 vessels, of 4.833,813 gross tons. All but onesixth 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 Officers’ Federation and the National Union of Seameu, have formed a coordinating committee to manage the affairs of the Norwegian merchant fleet till the position in Norway returns to normal.