A comparison between the years 1921 and 1922 is given in the following table :--
1921 1922 Increase Decrease Class of Vessels No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnage British Ocean-going 4,630 9,247,198 4,547 9,888,891 441,693 83 Foreign Ocean-going 5,827 10,817,413 6,095 12,282,271 268 1,463,698 British River Steamers 5,743 3,519,294 4,866 3,731,227 211,933 877 Foreign River Steamers 1,810 580,088 2,244 732,715 434 152,627 Steamships under 60 tons (Foreign Trade) 6,687 195,727 6,520 200,363 4,636 167 Junks, Foreign Trade 27,525 3,491,736 26,155 2,908,097 1,370 583,639 Total, Foreign Trade 52,222 27,852,616 50,427 29,543,564 2,274,587 1,795 583,639 Steam Launches plying in Waters of the Colony 597,386 639,554 14,174 320 1,729,438 Junks, Local Trade *23,072 †1,394,034 *18,263 1,119,442 4,809 274,592 Grand Total 672,680 43,420,970 708,244 46,566,764 35,363 3,145,794* Including 11,922 Conservancy and Dust Boats of 895,788 tons.
In steamships not exceeding 60 tons employed in foreign trade, there is a decrease of 167 ships with an increase in tonnage of 4,636 tons or 2.9 per cent. in numbers and 2.4 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to larger launches employed in Foreign trading and a number of small launches being laid up owing to the unsettled state of Canton where many small launches were commandeered by the armies.
Junks in foreign trade show a decrease of 1,370 vessels and a decrease of 583,639 tons or 5.0 per cent. in numbers and 16.7 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to a number of Junks being held up during the Seamen's Strike.
In local trade (i.e. between places within the waters of the Colony) there is an increase in steam-launches of 42,168 and an increase of 1,729,438 tons or 7.1 per cent. in numbers and 12.2 per cent. in tonnage (corrected to) 14,174 in numbers and 1,729,438 tons. This is due to a greater number of launches being employed in towing and transporting workmen and material for reclamation work.