G.S. Livanos - a general history

Translated extract from “La Depeche d’Indochine” - undated 

THE MARCH OF PROGRESS

Splendid cargo boats will call regularly at Saigon. 

                Yesterday morning a magnificent vessel was seen descending the Saigon river, bound for France, via the Cape of Good Hope; it was the “G.S. Livanos” of which we had read so many flattering reports in the technical journals. It is the most economic type of modern cargo boat, and has a large amount of space available for baled goods.

                The “G.S. Livanos” is one of ten new cargo vessels, so fast and so economical that they undertake the voyage to Europe without going through the Suez Canal, where the charges are prohibitive. This new departure is particularly interesting since freight charges are considerably reduced by the speed.

                For this reason we made a point of visiting the “G.S. Livanos” which was lying at Saigon recently, at the same time as her sister ship, the Athina Livanos.

                We were received most cordially by Captain Madias and his officers.

                The visit to this modern ship, combining the latest improvements of Anglo-French technique, delighted us.

Special steamers for the transport of grain in bags.

                As her name indicates the “G.S. Livanos” belongs to the important Livanos Company of London, which owns about forty vessels traversing the seas of the whole world.

                Now, the Director of this company, Mr. S. Livanos, having experienced the difficulties of carrying certain commodities, had the brilliant idea of having built by the West Hartlepool ship yards, a series of ten vessels, economical and very speedy, of which the “Livanos” is a specimen, and all designed for the produce of Indo-China, and of the Madras coast.

                These ten ships, launched in 1936 and 1938, have each a length of 432 feet, breadth of 58 feet, total dead weight of 12,200 tons, and are capable of the amazing speed of 11 ½ knots, fully loaded, thus carrying under ideal conditions about 9/10,000 tons of bagged and baled goods.

                The following reasons show why the freight charges of the Livanos Company are so much reduced: these vessels do not have to go through the Suez Canal; their CMEW engines only consume 16/17 tons of coal per day, instead of 24/26 tons as would be needed on the older steamers; and finally, they only carry a crew of 31 men, instead of 50.

It is obvious that economy and speed bring their reward.

Other days, other ways.

                As Captain Madias told us, one must now contemplate a new type of cargo boat, comparable with the small mail boats from the point of view of speed, and as a result, capable of minimising their condition at the lowest cost.

                This wonderful feat has been made possible, thanks to specialist engineers, Thus has full provision been made for the preservation and ventilation of the produce of Indo-China, and of the Madras coast.

                Owing to all these advantages, the two Livanos boats which were in our port for the first time, were immediately chartered by such important firms as Messrs. Dreyfus, David, etc.

                It is very sure that the “G.S. Livanos” will come back regularly to Saigon, and it is hoped that all those who have goods for export, will make use of such steamers, which will enable them to save time and money, those two important commercial factors of modern times.

Other advantages

                As we have been able to note, the “G.S. Livanos” possesses all possible and imaginable safety apparatus; fog navigation system, automatic depth measuring by photo-electric cell, wireless installation which puts the steamer in constant touch with London and the whole world.

                When it is known, finally, that there are on board several luxurious apartments with modern comforts, for passengers, it will be understood that these vessels combine utility and grace with economy. It goes without saying that the food is abundant and the personnel friendly and efficient.

                We are certain that henceforth exporters will not hesitate to use these boats which will advance the prosperity of Indo-China.

Related items :