1.
LV PAN SHIPS IN HARBOUR
0.15

2.
SV LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER AND ASSISTANT
0.17

3.
LV SHIPS
0.20

4.
MLS MORE SHIPS IDLE
0.26

5.
SV LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER
0.28

6.
LV BARGES IN RIVER
0.35

7.
LV MORE BARGES IN HARBOUR
0.39

8.
SV STREET - BUSINESS CENTRE (2 SHOTS)
0.44

9.
SV WATERFRONT FROM PIER
0.46

10.
GV SHIPS LYING IDLE
0.54



Initials RE/S/MGT/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ABOUT 100 COASTAL AND OCEAN GOING STEAMERS, OWNED BY LOCAL SHIPPING COMPANIES, NORMALLY ENGAGED IN TRADE WITH INDONESIA, ARE NOW LYING IDLE IN SINGAPORE WATERS AS RESULT OF INDONESIA'S TRADE BOYCOTT WITH MALAYSIA.

THE SHIPS ARE ANCHORED IN THE INNER AND OUTER ROADS. THEY ARE BEING LOOKED AFTER BY ABOUT 3,000 SEAMEN, WHO ARE ON THE COMPANIES' REGULAR PAY ROLL.

WORRIED SHIPPING EXECUTIVES, FACED WITH MOUNTING COSTS OF MAINTENANCE, ARE EXPLORING WAYS OF TRADING WITH OTHER SOUTH-EAST ASIAN MALAYSIAN PORTS. THEY ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH THEIR CONTACTS IN BURMA, CAMBODIA, THAILAND, NORTH BORNEO AND SARAWAK.

THREE SHIPPING COMPANIES, WHO HAD SENT FIVE OF THEIR VESSELS TO TANJONG PRIOK, NEAR JAKARTA, THE INDONESIAN CAPITAL, THREE WEEKS AGO, SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE SHIPS' WHEREABOUTS.

AT LEAST FOUR OF THE SMALLER COMPANIES ARE CONSIDERING PAYING OFF THE SEAMEN AND LAYING OFF THEIR STEAMERS TILL THE SITUATION CLEARS UP.

MEANWHILE, ADDED THE CONGESTION ON THE ROADS AND THE SINGAPORE RIVER ARE HUNDREDS OF BARGES WHICH HAVE BEEN IDLE SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADE BOYCOTT.