New-York tribune., 1921-02-16
qyphlrs Tie-Up
Costly Blow
For Shipping
r,elay Due to a Quarantine
Would Mean Thousands
of Dollars Lost Daily by
the Large Ocean Liners
Freights Continue Drop
Cargo Carried to Europe for
Less Than 81 a Tom, New
Low Record i'm Decline

twelve-day quarantine on vessels
hing from European ports to the
r,ited States as a precaution against
Inns would fall heavily on shipping,
ss.ody handicapped by the abnormal
..,aitions prevailing in ocean trans
;artstion.
Witb vessels coming from Hamburg
:, soma other Continental European
,.,is the quarantine would make little
sference, as the voyage would cover
~ entire twelve-day period. In case,
.,rsyer. thai typhus was disco yered
.h,ard any of these vessels an addi-
+oDal t1slve-day quarantine would be
,.eessary from the period Of the dis
,ovsry. and if this was followed by
.aaitionaI cases on the same ship the
a.tention might be for an indefinite
period.
Applicstion of the quarantine to ves-
,sls sailing from Continental Europe
onIv will in all likelihood be followed
b7 such prominent lines as the White
Star and the Cunard cutting out Cher
boJre as a port of call on the west
hound voyage while the quarantine is
in effect. In this case the vessels
vould not be subject to tie-up here,
and this policy would be effective in
regard to such large steamers as the
olymuic and Adriatic, of the White Star
line. and the Imperator and Aquitaria,
ot the Cunard Line.
Cost of Detention Heavy
II is upon liners such as these chat
The effect1 Of the quarantine would fall
most heavily. Instead of completing
the voyage in about six days, as at
present, the time OF the trip would be
doubled. Rather than let these vessels
lie in port for the extra period, low
ever, the lines would probably decide
to iengthen the sea-run by reducing
speed and thereby cutting down coal
consumption.
In this way it is figured, saving
would be effected which would go some
distance toward making up for the
loss due to detention after arrival here.
With the lifting or shortening of the
quarantine period the vessels could be
wirelessed and brought forward at in
creased speed
With the quarantine applying to
both cabin and steerage passengers
the delay will fall heavily on the pas
senger lines. During the time of delay
the lines would be compelled to sup
ply meals and service. In addition the
expenses of the crew and the cost of
!
would also be seme consumption of
fuel in port and charges for insurance,
depreciation and interest on the in
vestment in the vessel would go on,
the total running in some cases to
from $4,000 to $4,000 day. Further,
more, the earning capacity Of the ship
would be eliminated for the time of the
Ge-up.
Freights at New Low Level
Coming on top of the present de-
pressed condition in shipping the
quarantine would add to the many ex-
isting difficulties with which ship op-
sratcrs are faced. The situation in
regard to freights shows no improve
ment. In fact, new low level has
been reached in the rates to Continen-
tai Europe, the previous bottom price
q 81 a ton having been broken
through.
The dullness is especially pronounced
IN the export coal trade. "There is
practically no demand for vessels of
any sort and there seems little pros
peet of immediate improvement" A. Fl.
Bull & Co. state in regard to the char
ter market "The number of vessels
tied UP grows greater with each week,
dye not only to the absence of profita-
Die bulk cargoes, but also to the gem
sral depression throughout every
trade.
Scandinavia offered one small cargo
this market in the past week, other
Tlse there was no activity. Rotter-
ean was reported at 1885 for one or
,so fixtures, with no further demand.
9ue TO the fixing of French coal prices
" the government, this market seems
% have fallen fiat. One or two in
auiries were in evidence for the Med
iterranean."
The charters at $9,85 per ton were
y both cases Of British vessels. To
operate at that figure would mean a
neaSy less for American tonnage.
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