A comparison between the years 1923 and 1924 is given in the following table :-
1923 1924 Increase Decrease Class of Vessels No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnage British Ocean-going 5,389 11,222,141 5,297 11,844,752 622,611 92 Foreign Ocean-going 7,248 14,671,917 7,674 16,030,078 426 1,358,161 British River Steamers 6,008 5,698,350 7,120 6,524,661 1,112 826,311 Foreign River Steamers 1,891 657,730 2,318 840,347 427 182,617 Steamships under 60 tons (Foreign Trade) 4,811 142,392 7,831 231,833 3,020 89,441 Junks, Foreign Trade 24,553 2,619,003 27,525 3,298,828 2,972 679,825 Total, Foreign Trade 49,900 35,011,533 57,765 38,770,499 7,957 3,758,966 92 Steam Launches plying in Waters of the Colony 17,077,346 16,622,806 26,794 454,540 Junks, Local Trade *22,778 778,222 *27,977 1,337,772 5,199 24,412 Grand Total 53,402,239 56,731,077 13,156 3,783,378 Nett Increase 3,328,838* Including 15,134 Conservancy and Dust Boats of 961,910 tons.
Junks in Foreign trade show an increase of 2,972 vessels, and an increase of 679,825 tons or 12.1 per cent in numbers and 25.8 per cent in tonnage. This increase is due to the improvement of trade between this Port and Canton, Macao, East and West River Ports.
In Local trade (i.e. between places within the waters of the Colony) there is a decrease in Steam-Launches of 26,794 and a decrease in tonnage of 454,540 tons or 3.8 per cent in numbers and 2.6 per cent in tonnage. This decrease in numbers and tonnage is due to a number of launches being laid up during the year on account of the high cost of fuel.
Junks in Local Trade show an increase of 5,199 vessels and an increase of 24,412 tons or 22.8 per cent in numbers and 1.8 per cent in tonnage. This increase in vessels and tonnage is due principally to the improvement of trade and the installing of the Junk Office at Shaukiwan,