THE JAVA – AUSTRALIA LINE

May, one hundred years ago in 1908, saw the beginning of the Java – Australia Line, the opening of a KPM office in Sydney and the first arrival of KPM passenger ships. I felt that this historic event in Australian maritime history should not go unnoticed.

The initiative for a shipping line between Australia and the Dutch East Indies came from the Dutch Consul-General in Melbourne, who, in 1904 and 1905 strongly pressed for the creation of such a connection. His recommendation was supported by General van Heutz, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, who, also from a political point viewed such a connection most desirable and recommendable.

In the past attempts to set up regular shipping between the two countries proved not viable and had incurred great financial losses. As a result since 1881 shipping from Java to Australia was only carried out under foreign flag.

The response by the Directors of the Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij (KPM) in Batavia to forming a new shipping line was one of reservation. Their opinion was that such a shipping line was desirable but not viable because of lack of core cargo in the market. Shipping agents for the KPM also had low expectations.

Despite this a Mr. Hissink, Shipping Agent, was given the job to investigate the market on the spot. Between 5 February and 8 June 1907 he visited the major Australian ports to establish trade connections and filed his report.

In his interviews with prospective clients he demonstrated that relations with the Indies would prove to be beneficial and would lead to growth in the export of Australian products.

The findings in his report were that there was a need for a connection between Adelaide , Manilla and Hong Kong, understanding that some transport between Java, Queensland and Sydney already took place. His recommendations were to commence a line between Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle, Java, Singapore and Hong Kong; a line to the East Coast was in his opinion unfavourable.

Contrary to his recommendations the Head Agent for Java-China-Japan Line considered the East Coast of more importance and disapproved of the extension to Singapore and Hong Kong. Ultimately his advice found approval and consequently, when on 12 May 1908 it was resolved to establish the Java-Australia Line, the decision was made not to extend the service to Manilla and Hong Kong and to restrict - for the time being - ocean-going trade between Java and the East coast of Australia and perhaps South Australia.

The new line, under management of the KPM, was to be served by two ships of the KPM fitted with refrigeration facilities to ship, besides general cargo and passengers, frozen and chilled goods. (The two ships were the “VAN SPILBERGEN and the “LE MAIRE, both 3000 brt.)

The arrangement with the sister companies Java-China-Japan Line (JCJL), Nederland Line and Rotterdam Lloyd was to initially share part of the losses, also no application was made for Government subsidy for the time being to save time and avoid obligations to the government..

Head Office for Australia was established in Sydney under the leadership of Mr. M.C. Koning.

s.s. “Le Maire” (1908), 3,271 brt

When shortly thereafter the first of the two ships, the LE MAIRE, arrived in Australian waters this beautiful, white-hulled ship and the splendidly dressed officers in their white uniforms caught the attention of the Australian public. The newspapers devoted lengthy articles to the new Dutch shipping line, especially when during a harbour cruise on Sydney Harbour a number of invited guests eloquently expressed their admiration. (Bols gin fuelled? – JP).

This way the official opening of the new line made a good impression and the representative of the company received a compliment from senior management in Amsterdam “ for the way you have carried out the pioneering task” with the assurance that “ his work was highly appreciated by his Board of Directors ”.

However, it was soon discovered that hard times lay ahead. Wharf cost were frightening high, finding a permanent representative extremely difficult, the two ships were found to be too slow to maintain a regular monthly service. Cargo loadings had increased but freight prices were so low that considerable losses were suffered. The rival shipping companies did not welcome the intruder, they lowered freight prices resulting in a fierce price battle!

The Dutch government directed that the Australia line must be maintained; representation was made by the KPM for a government subsidy of fl. 150,000 p.a. to keep the monthly service to Australia running.

The subsidy was granted and the Minister emphasised that from a political point of view it was important to impress on the rivals that they could not force KPM out of business.

Agreement was reached with the competitors and business started to pick up, one of the first decisions made was to replace the LE MAIRE and the VAN SPILBERGEN with larger ships of 5,000 ton brt and a speed of 14 knots. The HOUTMAN and TASMAN commenced sailing to Australian ports in 1913.

Sadly, the Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij was dissolved into Royal Nedlloyd in 1967 and its ultimate successor P&O Nedlloyd ceased operations in February 2006, thus ending regular Dutch line and shipping services to and from Australia but not before leaving a lasting legacy of having positively contributed to Australia’s maritime history for close to a century.

John Papenhuyzen

April 2008

Acknowledgment:

Een Halve Eeuw Paketvaart 1891 – 1941

Dr. M.G. de Boer

Amsterdam 1941