130 The COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 19, 1917., concerned the large exporting concerns. The shipping combinations are no less interesting from the coal exporters’ point of view, and so far as they will facilitate the supply of tonnage, and the economical use of our diminished mercantile fleet, they will be heartily approved. The war is bringing about many changes in the shipping routine. Thus South African coal is coming much more into use. More vessels are now coaling at South African ports than were ever known before. Japanese mail boats regularly bunker in Table Bay, and consignments of coal from South African ports are being sent to India, Ceylon and even to South America. These developments are calling forth improvements in coaling facilities at many foreign ports, and lend additional interest to the series of articles upon this subject now appearing in our columns. While some reference should be made here to the existing restrictions on coal exports from Great Britain, there is little further to add to what has already been said upon this question. The war has introduced several new problems into the export coal trade, and it is not at all certain that we have yet discovered the best possible solution. The limitation of freights to French. and Italian ports has scarcely produced the desired effect, and the reason for its comparative failure are not at once evident. The chief difficulty has been found in chartering tonnage. To some extent this is inevitable, seeing that vessels are scarce, but this difficulty appears to have been aggravated by slow discharge of cargo at the ports. By delays, either in loading or unloading, the efficiency of a vessel can easily be reduced by 50 per cent., or even more. Another difficulty has been experienced in a direction which we had previously foreseen. Neiitral vessels have not always kept to the limitation terms, and apparently the local com- mittees have not yet been able to deal with this point in a satisfactory way, because French con- sumers are too eager to get the coal to insist upon limitation terms. Possibly the new restriction on foreign chartering, now coming into force, may be more effectual. Actually there is no adequate remedy except by increasing the available tonnage. It is stated that certain firms in South Wales, holding licences to ship-85,000 tons of coal to fulfil contracts in France, have only been able to deliver 2,500 tons in the past three months. This maybe an extreme case, but it is a forcible illustration of prevailing conditions. In connection with this matter, it is necessary to note that the proportion of neutral tonnage entering into the coal-carrying trade has been steadily increasing for some time, and has now reached somewhat striking proportions. From returns published recently in the Liverpool Journal o/ Commerce^ we gather that during the year 1916 the total number of coal cargoes carried was 26,454, of which only 6,353 were conveyed in British vessels. This means that 75’98 per cent, of the coal-carrying trade is now in the hands of neutrals. This fact alone greatly increases the difficulties of the exporter, and also leads to continual trouble with labour, which, rightly or wrongly, holds the view that neutral shipowners are fair game for enforced profit- sharing. Of licences there is only this to be said, that they have not been so unreasonably withheld of late as they appear to have been in the earlier part of the year. The recent refusal to allow shipments of coal to Norway is based upon clear national grounds; it is only one of the many examples that have, arisen of the influence of coal as a factor in diplomacy, and although the precise effect may be to engender friction on the other side, it is undoubtedly a lever which the Government is fully justified in using when occasion demands. The Swedish State Railways require immediate tendens for 200,000 ton® of the best Northumbrian or Yorkshire steams for shipment over the ensuing six mon this. In connection with the increased manufacture of spelter, we understand that the Ridge Roasting Furnace and Engi- neering Company have supplied plant for this purpose to four different smelters, and have just received a repeat order from Messrs. Vivian and Sons Limited, of Swansea, for further roasting plant. The fumes are to be used for making sulphuric acid, THE COAL AHD IROH TRADES. Thursday, January 18. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. No new feature presents itself in the West of Scotland coal trade. Industrial demands are well maintained and household sorts are selling well, but the export department is far from satisfactory owing, to some extent, to the scarcity of tonnage. The position could be relieved if licences were granted with greater facility. Shipments for the past week amounted to 100,559 tons, compared with 48,179 in the preceding week and 84,532 tons in the corres- ponding week of last year. Values are about Is. per ton lower all round, and larger reductions can be obtained for prompt business. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 18/6-24/ 19/ -25/ 18/6-21/6 Ell 19/ -23/ 19/6-24/ 21/6-22/ Splint 22/ -31/ 23/ -32/ 24/ -32/ Treble nuts 24/ 24/ 20/6-21/6 Double do 22/ 22/ . 19'6-20/6 Single do 19/ .21/ 18/9-19/3 IRON. Conditions in the Scotch iron trade are more active than ever, and the pressure for delivery of all kinds of material is becoming very severe. In the pig iron industry the turnover is large and regular Practically nothing is now being done with neutral countries, as licences for ordinary brands are very scarce, and for hsematite practically unprocurable. Outputs generally are being diverted to war work. Pig iron warrant stocks now amount to 5,155 tons, compared with 5,338 tons at the end of 1916. The prices of makers’ iron are still quoted as follow:— Monkland and Carnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 125s., Nos. 3, 120s.; Govan, No. 1, 122s. 6d., No. 3, 120s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1,130s., Nos. 3,125s.. Gartsherrie, No. 1, 131s. 6d., No. 3, 126s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan,No. 1,130s., No. 3,125s.; Eglinton,at Ardrossan or Troon, and Dalmellington, at Ayr, Nos. 1, 126s. 6d., Nos. 3, 121s. 6d.; Shotts and .Carron, at Leith, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s. per ton. Malleable iron makers have really more on hand than they can tackle. In the steel department, which is receiving first attention, energies are entirely devoted to Government requirements, but a fair general business is being done in iron products. Crown quality iron bars are quoted <£14 12s. 6d. per ton net for export, and mild steel bars about .£17 per ton for basis sizes. Wrought iron and steel tubes are in good demand for home, and export, and all departments of the engi- neering trade, and particularly structural engineers, have more work on hand- than they can conveniently tackle. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The collieries in the Lothians are doing good business, and the outlook is more favourable. Shipments amounted to 17,274 tons, against 14,060 in the preceding week and 18,792 tons in the same week last year. Prices are firm. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 26/ 26/ i 22/ -22/6 Secondary qualities 24/6 24/6 21/ -21/6 Treble nuts • • 25/ 25/ 22/6-23/ • Double do 22/6 22/ 20/ -21/ Single do 20/ 19/6 18/6-19/ Trade in Fifeshire is comparatively good, and with the exception of third-class steams the demand is maintained. The restriction of exports to Norway has meant the can- cellation of a considerable amount of business which had been completed. Shipments amounted to 45,183 tons against 20,197 in the preceding week, and 59,827 tons in the same week last year. Quotations are practically unchanged as follow:— Prices f.o.b*. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 30/ -33/ 30/ -33/6 24/6-25/ Unscreened do..... .... 24/6-26/6 25/ -27/ 27/6-29/ 22/ -23/ First-class steam coal 28/ 22/6-23/ Third-class . do. 20/ 22/ . 16/6-17/ Treble nuts 24/ 23/ -25/6 22/ -22/6 Double do 22/ 22/ 19/6-20/6 Single do 19/ 21/ 18/6-19/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 163,016 tens, compared with 82,436 in the preceding week and 163,151 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N e wcastle-upon-Ty ne. COAL. Business in the local coal market this week is restricted by a variety of reasons. Chief amongst these are (1) the shortage of collier tonnage, which is throwing a large quantity of “free ” coal on the market, to be snapped up by such buyers as have prompt vessels and licences available, at substantial discounts on nominal quotations :(2) the decision that foreign tonnage may only be chartered by per- mission of the Board of Trade ; (3) certain new official regulations, as yet not public property, which have been divulged to private meetings of coal exporters and ship brokers with reference to the lines on which coal exporting must run in the future; and. (4) the continuance»of the embargo upon shipment of British coal to Norway, To take the latter first, it would appear that this embargo is not absolute, although it is very stringent.. Thus, if Norwegian papers may be believed, the Norwegian steamer “ Jupiter ” has arrived at Bergen, within the last few days, with a large cargo of coal, the Norwegian-America line and other steam ship lines have obtained licences for the export of certain quantities of coal from this country^ a private ship owner at Christiansund has got three large cargoes of coal released and Norwegian vessels bound with coal cargoes to Denmark, which have, up till now, been stopped at this end, are to be allowed to proceed. Against this rosier version of the state of affairs is to be set the fact that the Norwegians are, undoubtedly chafing under the restriction, and are threatening that, if the prohibition be maintained, Norway will be compelled to export her goods to some other country—the number of conveniently- situated “ other countries ” is rather limited just now, by the way—from which she can get coal in return, and that the Bergen-Newcastle traffic may be considerably limited. Be the position what it may, there can be no doubt that the steam coal section of the local market is being seriously hampered, and that all parties to .the coal trade here will be glad when some amicable settlement has been arrived at. As to the new official regulations, these provide that, in future, no competition will be allowed in the coal export trade, and that no firm will be allowed to transact business which it had not been in the habit of transacting; in other words, a firm’s business will, for the duration of the war presumably, be limited to its past established business connections. What will happen to a foreign importing firm with which a firm of British coal exporters desires, for any reason, to cease trading is a matter for speculation. As to the limitation placed on the chartering of foreign tonnage without Board of Trade sanction—a veto which applies to vessels of over 1,000 tons—all that need be said is that such a stipulation is bound to prolong greatly the operation of chartering of any foreign tonnage, for large bodies, such as the Board of Trade, move slowly. Under all these circumstances, the market has been very inert, and is now weaker than it was seven days ago. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follows, on the weekBest Tynes are easier; Blyth seconds, from 6d. to Is. cheaper ; Tynes, from Is. to Is. 6d. less; gas specials, Is. reduced; Durham unscreened bunkers, stronger; foundry coke, firmer; and blast furnace coke, Is. to Is. 6d. advanced. It .will be observed that the changes in coal prices are not great—although, as already mentioned, further concessions are obtainable by spot buyers in some instances—and that coke is positively firmer. This latter commodity continues in very scarce supply and very strong demand, both for home and foreign consumers. At the time of writing, there is a general hold-off in the coal market, both buyers and sellers waiting until “ things sort themselves out a bit,” so that it may be seen how all the various new developments mentioned above are going to affect operations. The only considerable item of new business reported during the last few days is an enquiry from the Danish State Railways for 20,000 tons of best steams for shipment to named ports during February. Tenders have been forwarded and are binding until Thursday of this week. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals:— Current prices. L’stweek’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 29/ -30/ 29/ -30/ 25/ -27/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 28/ -30/ 28/6-30/ 25/ -27/6 Secondary, Blyths 22/ -24/ 22/6-25/ 21/ -23/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 22/6-25/ 24/ -26/ 21/ -22/ Unscreened 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/ Small, Blyths .18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/6-14/6 Do. Tynes 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 11/6-12/6 Do. specials 20/ 20/ 15/ -16/ Other sorts:— Smithies 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 21/ -22/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 26/ -28/ . 26/ -28/ 23/ Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 20/ -22/ 22/ -22/ 21/ . Special gas coals 31/ -33/ 32/ -34/ 25/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 20/ -22/ 19/ -22/ 21/ -23/ Do. do. N orthumbrians 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ 21/ -22/6 Coking coals 20/ -22/ 18/ -20/ 20/ -22/ 22/ Do. smalls 18/ -20/ 21/ House coals 27/6-30/ 27/6-30/ 40/ -45/ 23/ -25/ Coke, foundry ... 42/6-45/ 37/6-42/6 . Do. blast-furnace 41/ -42/6 40/ -41/ 36/ -38/ Do. gas 32/ -33/ 32/ -33/ 27/ -28/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 57,630 tons of coal and 2,395 tons of coke, compared with 63,145 tons of coal and 1,855 tons of coke in the corresponding period of 1916, being a decrease of 5,515 tons of coal and an increase of 540 tons of coke. The dearth of tonnage is again the depressing factor on the market. Colliery proprietors are eager to secure prompt boats and thus prevent pit stoppages. Steams are weakly held, and gas, coking coals, also bunkers, could be discounted fully Is. per ton for immediate positions, but business is dull, owing to the difficulty experienced in securing the necessary permits. Coke of all grades is in good demand, and prices are steady. There is practically nothing doing on contracting ahead, merchants preferring to wait and see the result of the new regulations regarding chartering and export business. The opinion prevails that the regulations will mean more loss of time in getting business through, and will add to the difficulties already existing. Outward chartering is practi- cally at a standstill pending developments in regard to the above new regulations. There is an active enquiry for both Allied and neutral destinations, but vessels are scarce and firmly held for full rates. Recent fixtures include : London, 16s. 6d. ; Huelva, 37s. 6d. ; Gibraltar, 47s. 6d.; Barcelona, 70s.; Port Said, 80s.; Rio, 60s.; Santos, 70s.; Copenhagen or Korsoer, 8 kr.; Stockholm, 43 kr.