Pacific Transport
pp. 75-77 · Read in the full issue
World Fuel Crisis Slows The
Ships And Grounds The Jets
The effect of the world fuel crisis on Pacific Islands transport was not immediately damaging. Most oil companies announced a cut in sup plies of up to 25 per cent, so that transport companies have had to keep a close eye on reserves.
One shipping company, China Navigation Co, which had its supply cut, temporarily reduced the speed of its ships and took an estimated day longer on each trip. P & O liners, on Pacific cruises and trips to the US west coast from Australia, travel led a little slower, reaching some ports a little later and leaving a little earlier.
Lloyd Triestino cancelled two Pacific holiday cruises from Sydney in the Marconi and Galileo. As each liner carries up to 1,500 free-spend ing Australians on these cruises, shop keepers in duty free ports suffered a heavy loss in income. Estimates of tourist spending vary, but at an aver age of $4O a person on shore dur ing a cruise, the cancellation of these two cruises meant a loss of more than $lOO,OOO to shops in various ports.
A number of shipping lines in De cember imposed a 2.5 per cent bunker surcharge on freight rates between Australia and Fiji, Apia, Tonga and Papua New Guinea ports. The last rise in bunker prices was SUS9.SO a ton on November 1, 1973.
The surcharge will be shown separately from the freights. The shipping lines say this will ensure it is removed or reduced if present events in the oil industry allow sup pliers to reduce the prices below the November 1 rates. If, on the other hand, bunker suppliers impose further increases over one per cent of the average freight rate, the lines reserve the right to increase the surcharge.
British Airways-BOAC reduced the number of transpacific services from five to three a week each way, in line with a British Government ruling that airlines reduce fuel consumption by 23 per cent. The reduction was to apply to January 31, unless the fuel position altered. The airline expected
it would be able to carry all who wanted to travel.
Qantas planned to restore the three weekly Boeing 707 services between Sydney and San Francisco on January 24. These services were terminated at Honolulu in November because of a shortage of fuel at Honolulu and San Francisco. The fuel situation in the United States had improved.
So far Qantas has overcome most of the problems created by the world fuel crisis.
International airlines passing through Fiji filled up elsewhere as far as possible to reduce the amount of fuel they would require at Nadi Airport. The Joint Users Hydrant Installation, which refuels overseas airliners at Nadi, reduced supply from about 60,000 gallons a day to 50,000 gallons.
One side-effect of the shortage was the withdrawal of the fire engine at Bonriki Airport in the GEIC for internal services. The engine used 65 gallons of petrol a week travelling
from its base at Bikenibeu and back to meet aircraft.
The withdrawal has annoyed Cap tain Russell Gray, flight captain of the internal air service, who said it was a pathetic decision. The internal service has been carrying more pass engers a week than the international flights for which the fire engine will be in attendance.
Internal transport services were affected by the shortage of petrol in most Island groups. In some cases governments imposed mandatory cuts in petrol; in other cases they appealed for voluntary rationing, while holding their options open about legal steps to enforce their appeals, should volun tary restraints be unsuccessful.
Many motorists and motor-cyclists, being human and taking a narrow view queued at bowsers to keep their tanks full. Others, who tried to take fuel away in containers, were warned of possible action for hoarding.
Boat Building Reaches
New Heights In Png
A 38 ft luxury cruiser near com pletion in Port Moresby gives prom ise of being an outstanding example of the shipwright’s trade. It is claimed that the vessel being built at the yard of Russ Behan for Mr Harry Carrier, a Port Moresby businessman, will be among the most modern and luxur ious the country has produced.
The hull has three layers of i in. marine plywood, epoxy glued over local rosewood scantlings. Most of the timber is locally produced.
Two layers of epoxy bonded Dynal sheathing bring the thickness of the bottom and sides to one inch.
The boat was designed by Frank Pelin of New Zealand. It has a beam of 12 ft 9 in. and a draught of 3 ft 6 in. It is expected to be used for pleasure and for charter work from Port Moresby.
With a 370 hp turbo-charged Cum mins diesel engine costing $13,000 the boat will cost about $38,000. It should be capable of at least 26 knots.
The craft is air-conditioned, carpeted throughout, with hot and cold water and bunks for 10 people.
A new company is to be floated by Mr Behan with the participation of Papuans at present employed in the present business. Foreman Willie Papua leads a team of five local tradesmen who are rapidly acquiring valuable skills in marine building and maintenance.
Mr Carrier owns three companies in Port Moresby—Territorial Build ing Constructions Pty Ltd, Territorial Plumbing Co Pty Ltd and Territorial Plumbing Supplies and Services Pty Ltd.