WORLD’S SHIPPING.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1924, Page 4

WORLD’S SHIPPING.

RECORD TONNAGE . AFLOAT. Striking evidefiee is constantly com-' ing forward to illustrate the difficulties which are being experienced by the shipping trade all over the world owing to tho slowness of its recovery from the slump which set in towards the-end of 1920. Recent statements 'Try leading shipping men in England have indicated that tho depression is being lengthened by the fact that tho world shipping tonnage is far in excess of trade requiremerits.

According to the annual report of Lloyd's Register of Shipping, which is now aailable, the tonnage classified in the register at June 30 last, amounted to 25,203,200 tons, which is the highest tigure ever recorded. During the past 12 months it is stated that very little relief lias been experienced from tho depression of the shipbuilding industry and no early signs of improvement are manifest. The tonnage afloat in the world is about 10,000,000 tons in excess of that of 1914. It is well known, however, that the total tonnage includes a considerable number of vessels which for various reasons arc not, likely to be employed even in the event of a substantial revival of the trade, and during the 12- months ended June 30 last 300 vessels, representing about 625,000 tons, were dismantled or broken up as being no longer efficient. Shipowners generally are unable to see any probability in the near future of such an increased demand as would induce them to place orders for new tonnage and labour disputes in B:i----tisli shipyards have discouraged shipbuilding, while the completion of many vessels has thus been delayed. Tn these circumstances a falling off of JG per cent on the 1922 figures took place in the output of new tonnage, and urn 429 vessels of the year, representing 1,010,225 tons gross register, was the lowest since 1917.

The aggregate of 23,208,200 tens gross register is represented by 9951 vessels, and it is interesting to note that more than half, namely, 5730 vessels, of a total of 11,410,200 tons gross, are British. Strides were again made in the tonnage of vessels fitted for burning oil fuel, and tho tonnage is now 15,792,418, compared with 1,310,209 in 1911, and 5,3't1,07s in 1919. Motor ships have also increased, ami there arc now 1831 motor vessels, representing 1,008,411 tons, compared with 1020 last year of 1,542,100 tons.

A more striking aspect of rue world shipping tonnage is to he gained il the figures of shins now nil lor construction are added to the tonnage afloat. The result would gi.e a total of 10.317 vessels, repr -seding n era than 291 million tons gross register