New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-05
Ocean Freight
Rates Decline
I'm Six Months
Reductions of Is TO so Per
Cent Noted in Large Mum.
Der of Commodities Since
First of Year at New. York
General Cargo Holds Firm
Greatest Cuts Made in Flour,
Grain, Provisions, Auto
mobiles, Lubricating Oil

Comparison of steamship rates on
comm ODDITIES in the trans Atlantic
routes on January and July SHOWS a
marked decline in the latter in many
instances. The reduction in rrausporta-
ton costs has not been uniform, but
has ranged generally from Is to 80
per cent in the six months.
A significant feature or the COMPARE
son is that there has been little change
IN the general cargo rates, affecting
shipments made for the greater part in
small parcels. Steamship conferences
have been able to maintain fixed
schedules for this business. which is
not affected to a great extent by the
competition of tramp ships. The great
est cuts have been made in such items
as provisions. -four, grain, lubricating
oil and other commodities which are
carried by casual ships as well as those
sailing under regular schedules.
Rates or individual commodities do
not show a uniform decline to the va
rious ports. This is due to the fact
that the last six months have been a
period of great turmoil, with the dis
ruption OF many conferences, When
trouble Of this kind develops there is
usually time of low rates, gradually
working back to higher levels.
Rates Vary But Little
Freight costs from this country to
the United Kingdom. controlled by the
Oldest and strongest of the ocean con-
ferences, have shown the least varia-
ton in the first half year. With the
exceptions of grain, with a decrease Of
so per cent, and sack -four, with a cut
from 10 to II cents 100 pounds, there
have been few changes of great impor-
tance on berth rates. Automobiles
dropped from So to Is cents cubic foot
and lubricating oil from 60 to as cents
100 pounds. Conference lists show no
difference in provisions or general
cargo.
Rates from New York to the various
continental ports indicate the cross
currents which have been at work this
year. Most commodities show a de-
cline, but a few record gains. Grain
rates to Bremen and Hamburg declined
from Is to Ia cents 100 pounds, while
to Havre and Bordeaux there was an
Increase from ID to IS and 20 cents, re-
spectively.
Provision Tariffs Drop
Provision rates dropped generally
about % per cent, with the exception of
the United Kingdom. Shipments to
Bremen, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Amster-
dam and Antwerp fell from q level of
321s and So cents to % cents.
Quotations on cotton were largely
unchanged except that there was an
increase to German and Dutch ports of
about 25 per cent. Rates to Italian
ports declined about one-third. Rates
on automobiles and lubricating oil de-
clined 80 per cent to Continental Euro
pean ports.
The end of the first six months of
the year finds shipping still in state
OF extreme depression, with nothing in
sight at the moment that indicates
definite upward turn. Only a revival
Of foreign commerce of large proper
tions would be sufficient to employ the
ships now idle. 1t is the hope of steam
ship officials that improved conditions
abroad will result in a heavier trade
movement. which will aid shipping as
we'll.