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HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

CONFIDENTIAL Not for

publication.

297

REPORT ON SHIPPING AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY, 22nd SEPTEMBER, 1939.

SHIPPING .

It is difficult to gauge the market, the tone of which can be more aptly described as erratic. Fixtures reported during the week were, coal from Hongay to Hong Kong; from Calcutta to Hong Kong; rice from Saigon to Manila. Enquiries continue to be received for coal and rice cargoes, but charterers are finding it difficult to fix business due to lack of handy-sized steamers at reasonable terms. Owing to the present emergency, neutral omers, i.e., Norwegians, are demanding high terms as is evidenced by the fact they required Rs.12 per ton for coal from Calcutta/Hong Kong, against the market rate of Rs.10.

On the China coast, the demand from Shanghai to North China ports is strong and moderate to the south. In the Tient sin area, trade is still very much disorganised, but British Shipping Companies appear to be more optimistic over future prospects, presumably due to an easier political situation vis-a-vis the Jap ane se. However, the position can be better gauged when trading resumes. Support from Che foo and Weihaiwei is fair; a cute competition is being experienced at these ports from Japane se lines, and to meet this it has been necessary to drastically cut rates. Very little doing from Tsingtau. The quarantine" restrictions enforced at all North China ports are causing great inconvenience to British steamers, chiefly due to dissen- sion between the Japanese Authoriti es at each port, who refuse to recognise each others "Pratique" certificates and insist on carrying out their own particular regulations.

Southern ports such as Santu, Hsinghwa, Foochow, Swa tow and Can to n continue closed. The Japane se have a monopoly of the Canton trade and from reports received they are doing well in cargo, particularly imports, also passengers. Up to end of last week steamers secured good cargoes from Pakhoi, but since then the Chinese Government have re- impo sed the Exchange and Trade Monopoly Scheme with the result trade is at a standstill. It is to be hoped this will prove only temporary. Fair support from Hoihow. From Hong Kong, cargo offers in fair quantity to Shanghai, but very little is moving to northern areas.

SHIPBUILDING & REPAIRING.

(Please refer to the following particulars supplied by the two leading Dockyards):-

Remarks.

NEW BUILDING AT TAIKOO DOCKYARD, HONG KONG. Name

"Glenorchy"

Ship No.

Dimensi on

277

285

R.C.S. "Viti"

289

"Hanyang"

475'0" x 66'0" x 38'0" 1550 x 31'6" x 15'6" 298'0" x 44'0" x 25′0′′

290 Motor launch for Admiralty 351

Fitting-out. Launching November, '39 end Jany, 1940 Delivery end Oct: 1939

11

VESSELS AT TAIKOO DOCKYARD FOR REPAIRS, ETC.,

Week ending 20th September.

s.s. "Sinkiang"

8.8. "Kwei yang"

S.8.

"Adrastus"

s.s. "Philo cte tes"

s.s. "Mui Hock"

S.3. "Aeneas"

m.v. "Glenapp"

Vessels repaired in Harbour are not included.

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