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BANANA WASTE
Since 1965 there has been a gradual change in the method of shipping bananas from Jamaica.
In effect bananas have been containerised.
Before 1965, bananas were carried by the conventional method, i.e. on the stems. In that
year, 1,470 tons of banana waste were surrendered to the Port Health Authority for destruction.
This represented 2.03 per cent of the total tonnage carried. Much of this wastage resulted from
Santa Marta Stem End Rot. This rot spreads from the banana stem through the ends of the individual
fingers causing them to drop off. By removing the hands from the stems this decay
is arrested.
In 1966, in Jamaica, the banana producers experimented by cutting sound hands of bananas
from the stems and packing them in stout cardboard cartons for carriage by sea. The experiment
continued at an increasing scale throughout 1967, and in 1968 all bananas landed in the Port
of London were packed in cartons.
During 1968, 51 cargoes comprising 72,036 tons of Jamaican bananas were discharged at
the Royal Albert Dock. Of this tonnage only 54 tons of waste were surrendered for destruction.
This represents 0.075 per cent wastage as compared with 2.03 per cent in 1965.
The success of the experiment has been twofold. Firstly, a significant saving in hold space;
secondly, and most important, a considerable reduction in the amount of banana waste.
SEABORNE CONTAINER TRAFFIC
The importation of goods, including foodstuffs, in containers into the Port of London increased
dramatically during 1968.
In addition to the established services from Holland and Sweden, using the 'roll-on roll-off'
system of discharge (through specially constructed stern door vessels), 'lift-on lift-off' container
services were started on the new Container Terminals forming part of the Tilbury Dock Extension.
Short Sea Container Trades
No. 43 Berth was the first Container Terminal to come into operation in the Port of London
equipped with lifting gear to handle only ISO (International Standard Organisation) Containers. It
came into operation on the 15th January with a single ship on service and became the London
terminal for the short sea traders. Trade justified the running of a second vessel on the service
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