FOREIGN CONSTRUCTION OF TANKERS FOR THE USSR

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP67-00059A000400250009-1
Release Decision: 
RIFPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
1
Document Creation Date: 
November 17, 2016
Document Release Date: 
April 21, 2000
Sequence Number: 
9
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
October 1, 1948
Content Type: 
MEMO
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP67-00059A000400250009-1.pdf73.22 KB
Body: 
-RDP67-00059AO00400250009-1 Approved For Release 2000/~6ftrr -GLA 1 October 1948 SUBJECT: Foreign Construction of Tankers for the USSR 1. A check of Lloyd's Register,, the Shipbuilders Council of Americaa the American Bureau of Shipping, and the US Maritime Commission, as well as the files of the Transportation Group, reveals no such construction of any consequence underway in any shipyard outside the USSR. Furthermore, despite negotiations with several European countries, the USSR has apparently boon unable to negotiate any contracts of consequence.- Trade agreements with Denmark and the Netherlands provide for potiation of contracts covering nine tankers totaling 43,000 tons. However, should such contracts be negotiated, which is doubtful, final delivery of the tankers will not take place for several years. 2. The absence of tanker construction for Soviet account is of in- terest, because the inability to move sufficient oil by water is doubtless a matter of serious concern to the USSR. (As of 30 June 1948, the USSR, with 126,900 gross tons, ranked twelfth in world tanker fleets.) 3. The reluctance of foreign countries to undertake tanker construction for the USSR is not surprising. Soviet contracts are frequently designed to establish far-reaching economic ties with the Soviet Union, The USSR is usually unwilling to furnish steel and other materials needed for ship con- struction. The terms of payment, furthermore, often disregard the usual arrangement for part payments at keel laying, launching, etc. In the case of Italy, moreover, there is the fear that the USSR will attempt to avoid payment by claiming the vessels as reparations. These and other reasons make it most unlikely that the Soviet Union will acquire any significant amount of tanker tonnage abroad, 4. No report has been received from Navy concerning the above subject. Although it is believed that the Navy report will not change the foregoing conclusions, if any essential information to the contrary is developed, it will be made available upon receipt by CIA,. Approved For Release 2000 6$ 23ETCIA-RDP67-00059AO00400250009-1