ROUND THE HORN

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1931, Page 6

ROUND THE HORN

HOMEWARD-BOUND LINERS

SAVING CANAL DUES

WELLINGTON, November 19

An interesting effect of present economic conditions is that a considerable number of liners Homeward bound from New Zealand to London are being diverted from the Panama Canal route to that via Cape Horn.

The change has been brought about owing to the high exchange rate *n America having considerably increased the Panama. Canal dues, and the cost of fuelling at American ports. Vessels proceeding to, England by the Cape Horn route escape the Panama Canal dues and they can refuel at Lag . Palmas, in the-.. Canary. Islands, or at Dakar, in West:;"Africa. ; For this reason many, of. the .niotorsliips are using the Cape Horn route this season, their “fuel-endurance” enabling them to make non-stop runs right from New Zealand to Las Palmas or Dakar. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s motor-ship Opawa, the Commonwealth and Dominion Line motor-ship Port Alrnn; : and" the Shaw Saville and Albion motor-ship Zealandic were recently dispatched from New Zealand by the Cape Horn route, and they will be followed by the Coptic, Port Fairy, Port Huon and Port Dunedin.

The Common.wealth and l Dominion Line now announces that of 13 vessels to be dispatched from New' Zealand to England during the first six months of next year 12 will proceed via Cape Horn, and one, the Port Hunter, will he dispatched via Panama. Arrangements have'■been made by the Shaw, Savili and: Albion Company for its coalrbufning steamers using the Panama Canal route to call at Kingston, Jamaica,, for hunker supplies, instead of coaling at Balboa.