The global economic meltdown has hit shipping with commodity prices falling along with charter rates. The River Fal lay-up berths once seen as the barometer of world shipping trade are in real demand this week as a direct result of the world’s financial turmoil.

Carrick Harbour master Captain Andy Brigden said: “My telephone hasn’t stopped ringing with enquiries for lay-up berths and quotations for tugs, pilots and harbour dues. It all began last Friday morning and since then I have been inundated with calls from the Admiralty Marshall, agents and shipping companies.”

Captain Brigden explained that the Admiralty Marshall’s Office in London has made enquiries about lay-up berths after a bank had indicated it wanted to sell a ship. Around the world container and bulk carrier fleets have been hit hard by the worsening of rates, the weak American economy and the drop in world commodity prices. Some Pacific-based container companies are looking to lay-up ships.

The busiest period on the Fal during the past decade came in 1999/2000 when Carrick earned £85,000 in revenue from laid up shipping. Captain Brigden said that he has had enquiries to lay-up gas carriers, bulk carriers, and a timber ship.

With the mussel farm now occupying the former lay-up area below King Harry ferry Carrick still retains berths above King Harry and off Tolverne. Captain Brigden estimates that he can take 12 medium sized merchant ships and confirmed Carrick’s lay-up charges remain highly competitive.

One problem is the supply of fresh water to the ships in the Fal now that a dedicated fresh water barge is no longer operational in Falmouth. But docks-based Marine Towage Services has a barge in Brixham that can be used in the Fal.