THE WORLD’S SHIPPING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2328, 13 September 1921, Page 2

THE WORLD’S SHIPPING.

THE tonnage of seagoing merchant vessels launched during the three years ended December 31st, 1920, was equivalent to more than 25 per cent, of all similar tonnage launched in the 29 years from 1892 to 1920. Prior to the war, the largest amount of shipping launched in any year was 3,332,882 gross tons in 1913. 'Ship construction decreased during the earlier phase of the war, falling to 1,201,630 tons in 1915. Urgent demands for tonnage, stimulated construction, but it was not until 1918 that total launchings exceeded those of 1913. In that year, due largely to the construction of more than 3,000,000 tons in the United States, the world’s shipyards launched 5,447,444 tons, while in 1919 the total was 7,144,549, of which more than 4,000,000 were the product of American yards. In 1920 shipbuilding activity was reduced somewhat, but launchings were still in excess of any previous year except 1919, the total being 5,862,000 tons. In spite of the destruction by enemy action of over 13,000,000 gross tons of seagoing merchant vessels between August Ist, 1914, and November 11th, 1918, and the loss through marine hazards of an additional -2,390,000 tons dur-

ing the same period, the world’s mercantile tonnage afloat is to-day greater than it would be had the average rate of increase for the 10 years prior to 1914 continued in the years since that date. Estimates of tonnage now afloat indicate a total in excess of 60,000,000 groks tons, approximately 11,000,000 gross tons above the figure for June 30th, 1914.