Ng Shipping

No Early Improvement Foreseen

ALTHOUGH “restrictions” are off private shipping in Papua-New Guinea, it is unlikely that there will be any rapid improvement in the coastal transport position.

Government ships will continue to run in competition with private ships; but there are now very few private ships to enter the trade.

The big firms are not at all enthusiastic at the idea of restoring their pre-war shipping and stevedoring organisation.

They have suffered too much at the hands of Socialist officialdom. Before they undertake any heavy expense and obligations, they will want guarantees in relation to the future which the Govern ment is not likely to give.

Another angle was presented by a re presentative of the Government Shipping Office in Port Moresby: “Our ships now will operate on a strictly commercial basis.

“In the past, our ships have made un profitable trips simply as a service to planters. Now we’ll be flat out to beat private ships to the most profitable jobs.

The small planter who cannot provide a full load will be out of luck.”