American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines
Encyclopedia
American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines, New York, was the leading US-flag shipping
company between the US east coast and the Mediterranean from 1919 to 1977, offering both Cargo ship
services and Passenger ship
services, until declaring bankruptcy and was acquired by Farrell Lines
, New York.
. In 1931, they placed in service four cargo-passenger liners, Excalibur, Excambion, Exeter and Exochorda, known as the "Four Aces". The timing of their new service was unfortunately at the beginning of the depression. The company went through various reorganisations and became the American Export Lines in 1936. In 1964, it merged with Isbrandtsen Co. to become the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines.
, the shipping magnate who formed the great Mærsk Line
, began a joint venture in 1919 forming the Isbrandtsen-Moller Company (ISMOLCO) in New York. ISMOLCO grew rapidly when in 1928, a long-term agreement was reached with Ford Motor Corporation, shipping auto parts and general cargo for Japan
, China
and the Philippines
via the Panama Canal
. Isbrandtsen founded the Isbrandtsen Steamship Company in 1939 to operate ships in areas where ISMOLCO was not involved. In 1940, this joint venture dramatically transformed due to Permanent Special Instructions One issued by Møller, upon which A. P. Møller's son Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller
was made a partner. In 1941, the joint venture ended. Møller and his son went on to found the Interseas Shipping Co., Inc., the predecessor to the Moller Steamship Company, an agent for the Mærsk Line in the United States ¹ . While Interseas Shipping Co., Inc., operated mainly in the Atlantic, Isbrandtsen Steamship Company traded mainly in the Far East. Hans's son Jakob took over the company in 1953 upon Hans's passing and bought American Export Lines in 1960. The purchase was approved by the United States Maritime Administration in 1962. Jakob Isbrandtsen merged Isbrandtsen Co. with American Export Lines in 1964 to form American Export & Isbrandtsen Lines, which a year later changed its name to American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines.
in 1960, restructured it and formed American Export Industries, Inc., a holding company to manage American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines and all support for his fleet operations, including container services, port operations and fleet logistics. In 1971, American Export Industries spun off its holdings and returned to being the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines. This merger ended in 1973.
to the City of New York in 1974. After heavy losses and unable to meet crippling debt payments, AEL went into bankruptcy in July 1977, with Farrell Lines buying its remaining ships and port operations in New York
a year later. Farrell Lines was acquired by Royal P&O Nedlloyd
in July 2000, in turn, the Royal P&O Nedlloyd was acquired by A.P. Moller-Maersk Group
in August 2005. The port operations formerly associated with the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines became part of the Dubai Ports World controversy
in February 2006.
as a result of enemy fire. The latter ship was sold to Turkish Maritime Lines and renamed Tarsus.
Following the war, the tonnage was replaced with C-3 class troop transports with the same names. They were given luxury appointments for 125 passengers as well as sufficient cargo-carrying capacity.
The crowning achievement in American Export's passenger services were their largest and best-known liners, the and .
Shipping
Shipping has multiple meanings. It can be a physical process of transporting commodities and merchandise goods and cargo, by land, air, and sea. It also can describe the movement of objects by ship.Land or "ground" shipping can be by train or by truck...
company between the US east coast and the Mediterranean from 1919 to 1977, offering both Cargo ship
Container ship
Container ships are cargo ships that carry all of their load in truck-size intermodal containers, in a technique called containerization. They form a common means of commercial intermodal freight transport.-History:...
services and Passenger ship
Passenger ship
A passenger ship is a ship whose primary function is to carry passengers. The category does not include cargo vessels which have accommodations for limited numbers of passengers, such as the ubiquitous twelve-passenger freighters once common on the seas in which the transport of passengers is...
services, until declaring bankruptcy and was acquired by Farrell Lines
Farrell Lines
Farrell lines Incorporated was named in 1948 after James A. Farrell Jr., and John J. Farrell, sons of James A Farrell Sr., president of US Steel. The company was previously known as American South African Lines . It was a passenger/cargo line in regular service from New York to South Africa...
, New York.
American Export Lines (I)
Export Steamship Corporation was organized in 1919 and began operating cargo services to the Mediterranean from New York. The word "American" was added in the 1920s to emphasize its ties to the U.S.United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 1931, they placed in service four cargo-passenger liners, Excalibur, Excambion, Exeter and Exochorda, known as the "Four Aces". The timing of their new service was unfortunately at the beginning of the depression. The company went through various reorganisations and became the American Export Lines in 1936. In 1964, it merged with Isbrandtsen Co. to become the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines.
Isbrandtsen Steamship Company
Hans Isbrandtsen and his cousin A. P. MøllerArnold Peter Møller
Arnold Peter Møller, commonly known as A. P. Møller, was a Danish shipping magnate, businessman who was the founder of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group in 1904.-Biography:...
, the shipping magnate who formed the great Mærsk Line
A.P. Moller-Maersk Group
A.P. Moller – Maersk Group , also known as Maersk , is a Danish business conglomerate. A.P. Moller – Maersk Group has activities in a variety of business sectors, primarily within the transportation and energy sectors. It is the largest container ship operator and supply vessel operator in the...
, began a joint venture in 1919 forming the Isbrandtsen-Moller Company (ISMOLCO) in New York. ISMOLCO grew rapidly when in 1928, a long-term agreement was reached with Ford Motor Corporation, shipping auto parts and general cargo for Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
via the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
. Isbrandtsen founded the Isbrandtsen Steamship Company in 1939 to operate ships in areas where ISMOLCO was not involved. In 1940, this joint venture dramatically transformed due to Permanent Special Instructions One issued by Møller, upon which A. P. Møller's son Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller
Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller
Arnold Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, is a Danish shipping magnate.-Personal life:Møller is the son of Arnold Peter Møller – founder of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group – and an American, Chastine Estelle Roberta McKinney. He was married to his high-school sweetheart Emma Neergaard Rasmussen from 1940...
was made a partner. In 1941, the joint venture ended. Møller and his son went on to found the Interseas Shipping Co., Inc., the predecessor to the Moller Steamship Company, an agent for the Mærsk Line in the United States ¹ . While Interseas Shipping Co., Inc., operated mainly in the Atlantic, Isbrandtsen Steamship Company traded mainly in the Far East. Hans's son Jakob took over the company in 1953 upon Hans's passing and bought American Export Lines in 1960. The purchase was approved by the United States Maritime Administration in 1962. Jakob Isbrandtsen merged Isbrandtsen Co. with American Export Lines in 1964 to form American Export & Isbrandtsen Lines, which a year later changed its name to American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines.
American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines
Jakob Isbrandtsen formed the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines in 1964 by merging his two shipping companies. Also in 1964, Isbrandtsen, who became a majority stake holder in Ward IndustriesWard Industries
Ward Industries may refer to one of three companies:*Ward Industries, a corporate parent of Ward Line*Ward Industries, a corporate predicessor to the American Export Industries*Ward Industries, also known as Ward Body Works...
in 1960, restructured it and formed American Export Industries, Inc., a holding company to manage American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines and all support for his fleet operations, including container services, port operations and fleet logistics. In 1971, American Export Industries spun off its holdings and returned to being the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines. This merger ended in 1973.
American Export Lines (II)
American Export Lines (AEL), re-emerged after the dissolution of the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines in 1973. AEL sold their Staten Island Marine TerminalHowland Hook Marine Terminal
The Howland Hook Marine Terminal is a container port facility in the Port of New York and New Jersey located in northwestern Staten Island in New York City...
to the City of New York in 1974. After heavy losses and unable to meet crippling debt payments, AEL went into bankruptcy in July 1977, with Farrell Lines buying its remaining ships and port operations in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
a year later. Farrell Lines was acquired by Royal P&O Nedlloyd
P&O Nedlloyd
P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Limited was an Anglo-Dutch worldwide ocean-going container shipping line, with dual headquarters in London and Rotterdam. The company was formed in 1997 by the merger of the container-shipping interests of the leading Dutch transportation company Royal Nedlloyd and the...
in July 2000, in turn, the Royal P&O Nedlloyd was acquired by A.P. Moller-Maersk Group
A.P. Moller-Maersk Group
A.P. Moller – Maersk Group , also known as Maersk , is a Danish business conglomerate. A.P. Moller – Maersk Group has activities in a variety of business sectors, primarily within the transportation and energy sectors. It is the largest container ship operator and supply vessel operator in the...
in August 2005. The port operations formerly associated with the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines became part of the Dubai Ports World controversy
Dubai Ports World controversy
The Dubai Ports World controversy began in February 2006 and rose to prominence as a national security debate in the United States. At issue was the sale of port management businesses in six major U.S...
in February 2006.
Passenger shipping services
Their first passenger ships were actually combination passenger-cargo ships, known as "Four Aces", Excalibur, Exeter, Excambion and Exochorda. These ships were first launched in 1931 and with the exception of the Exochorda, lost during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as a result of enemy fire. The latter ship was sold to Turkish Maritime Lines and renamed Tarsus.
Following the war, the tonnage was replaced with C-3 class troop transports with the same names. They were given luxury appointments for 125 passengers as well as sufficient cargo-carrying capacity.
The crowning achievement in American Export's passenger services were their largest and best-known liners, the and .
Subsidiaries
- American Export Airlines
- Containers Marine Lines Isbrandtsen
- Containers Marine Lines
Ships
(MCE-2436)(operated by Isbrandtsen Steamship Co.Inc.)- SS Adelphi Victory (MCV-760)(operated by Isbrandtsen Line), VC2-S-AP2 (MCV-792), VC2-S-AP2
- SS Antioch Victory (MCV-816)(operated by Isbrandtsen Line), VC2-S-AP2
- SS Argonaut
- SS Atlantic, C4 type
- SS Baylor Victory (MCV-772)(operated by Isbrandtsen Line), VC2-S-AP2
- SS Beaver Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS Blair (assigned to Export Steamship Corp.), renamed SS Exchange (1)
- SS Blue Triangle (assigned to Export Steamship Corp.), renamed SS Exmouth (1)
- SS Brandon Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS Brimsen Heights, transferred in 1946, formerly known as SS American Banker of the United States LinesUnited States LinesUnited States Lines was a transatlantic shipping company that operated cargo services from 1921 to 1989, and ocean liners until 1969—most famously the SS United States.-1920s:...
- SS Cape Nome
- SS Cape Race
- SS Carenco (assigned to Export Steamship Corp.)
- SS Charles Carroll (MCE-15) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS Charles D. Walcott (MCE-2327) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS City of Athens
- SS City of St. Joseph (assigned to Export Steamship Corp.), renamed SS Extavia (1)
- SS Clontarf (assigned to Export Steamship Corp.), renamed SS Exermont (1)
- SS Coeur D’Alene (assigned to Export Steamship Corp.), renamed SS Examilia
- SS Coeur d'Alene Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS Colby Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS Corson (assigned to Export Steamship Corp.), renamed SS Exiria (1)
- SS Darel M. Ritter (MCE-2838) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS Defiance
- Delta KingDelta KingThe Delta King is a . The Delta King is the sister ship to the Delta Queen, both christened May 20, 1927, traveling between Sacramento, California and San Francisco, California on 10-hour trips.-History:...
(owned by Isbrandtsen Line) - Delta QueenDelta QueenThe Delta Queen is an American sternwheel steamboat that is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. Historically, she has been used for cruising the major rivers that constitute the drainage of the Mississippi River, particularly in the American South. As of June 2009, she is docked in Chattanooga,...
(owned by Isbrandtsen Line) - SS East Point Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS Elmira Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS Empire Glencoe
- SS Eugene Hale (MCE-791) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS Examelia
- SS Examiner (1)
- SS Examiner (2)
- SS Exanthia (1)
- SS Exanthia (2), C2-S-A1, Maritime Commission Design
- SS Exarch
- SS Exbrook
- SS Excalibur (1)(photo)
- SS ExcaliburUSS Dutchess (APA-98)USS Dutchess was a Windsor-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.Dutchess was named after a county in New York State...
(2) - SS Excambion (1)
- SS ExcambionUSS Queens (APA-103)USS Queens was a Windsor-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II. She was commissioned late in the war and initially assigned to transport duties; consequently she did not take part in any combat operations....
(2) - SS Excellency (1)
- SS Excellency (2)
- SS Excellency (3)
- SS Exceller, C2-S-A1, Maritime Commission Design
- SS Excello (1)
- SS Excello (2)
- SS Excelsior (1)
- SS Excelsior (2)
- SS Excelsior (3)
- SS Excelsior (4)
- SS Exchange (1), renamed SS Exliona (2)
- SS Exchange (2)
- SS Exchequer (1)(photo)
- SS Exchequer (2)
- SS Exchequer (3)
- SS Exchester (1)
- SS Exchester (2)
- SS Exchester (3), renamed SS Exmoor (3)
- SS Exchester (4)
- SS Exchester (5)
- SS Executive
- SS Executor (1)
- SS Executor (2)
- SS Exemplar
- SS Exermont (1), C3-E, Maritime Commission Design
- SS Exermont (2)
- SS Exeter (1)
- SS Exeter (2)
- SS Exford (1)
- SS Exford (2)
- SS Exhibitor (1)
- SS Exhibitor (2)
- SS Exilona (1)
- SS ExilonaUSS Leedstown (APA-56)USS Leedstown was a Windsor-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.Leedstown was laid down as Exchequer by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation of Baltimore, Maryland on 26 August 1942; classified AP-101 and renamed Wood 5 October 1942; reclassified APA-56 1 February...
(2) - SS Exilona (3)
- SS Exiria (1), renamed SS Exchester (3)
- SS Exiria (2), C2-S-A1, Maritime Commission Design
- SS Exminster (1)
- SS Exminster (2)
- SS ExmoorSS Robin MoorSS Robin Moor was a Hog Islander steamship that sailed under the American flag from 1919 until being sunk by on 21 May 1941, before the United States had entered World War II, after allowing the passengers and crew to disembark...
(1) - SS Exmoor (2)
- SS Exmoor (3)
- SS Exmouth (1)
- SS Exmouth (2)
- SS Exochorda (1)
- SS ExochordaSS ExochordaSS Exochorda, a 473-foot, 14,500-ton cargo liner in service with American Export Lines from 1948 to 1959. A member of the line's post-war quartet of ships, "4 Aces", Exochorda sailed regularly from New York on a Mediterranean route...
(2) - SS Expeditor
- SS Explorer
- SS Export Adventurer
- SS Export Agent
- SS Export Aide
- SS Export Ambassador
- SS Export Banner
- SS Export Bay
- SS Export Builder
- SS Export Buyer
- SS Export Challenger
- SS Export Champion
- SS Export Commerce
- SS Export CourierUSNS Courier (T-AK-5019)USNS Courier was a cargo ship of the National Defense Reserve Fleet. The cargo ship was built by Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock, Chester, PA, at the request of the US Maritime Administration in 1962. The ship is 470 ft in length and has a breath of 73 and weighs 11420 tons, empty...
- SS Export Defender
- SS Export Democracy
- SS Export Diplomat
- SS Export Freedom
- SS Export Leader (MA-257), now the US Navy's
- SS Export Patriot, Operated by Farrell Lines until 1998, scrapped in Alang India.
- SS Exporter (1)
- SS Exporter (2), C3-E, Maritime Commission Design
- SS Expositor
- SS Express (1)
- SS Express (2)
- SS Express (3)
- SS Extavia (1), renamed as SS Exmoor (2)
- SS Extavia (2), C2-S-A1, Maritime Commission Design
- SS Exton (1)
- SS Exton (2)
- SS Exton (3)
- SS Faraby
- SS Flying Arrow
- SS Flying Clipper
- SS Flying Cloud
- SS Flying Endeavor (1)
- SS Flying Enterprise (2)
- SS Flying Fish, a modified C-2 type cargo ship
- SS Flying Foam
- SS Flying Independent
- SS Flying Spray
- SS Flying Trader
- SS Great Republic
- SS Hannis Taylor (MCE-1978) (operated by Isbrandtsen Steamship Co.Inc.)
- SS Hog Island
- SS Hoke Smith (MCE-1061) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS Horace Binney (MCE-62) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS John Chandler (MCE-215) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS Sir John Franklin
- SS John L. Motley (MCE-986) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS John N. Robins (MCE-819) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS Judge Bland
- SS Kingston Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS La GuardiaUSS General W. P. Richardson (AP-118)USS General W. P. Richardson was a troop transport that served with the United States Navy in World War II. She was later transferred to the US Army and served briefly during the Korean War as USAT General W. P...
http://www.maritimematters.com/ocean-explorer.html - SS Lahaina Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS Lake Festina
- SS Lake Fiscus
- SS Lake Frumet
- SS Lake Grampus
- SS Liberty Land
- SS Lightning, now the US Navy's
- SS Luxpalile
- SS Marine Angel
- SS Marine Carp
- SS Marine Flasher
- SS Marine Jumper
- SS Marine Perch
- SS Marine Shark
- SS Martin Berhman
- SS Meredith Victory
- SS Meridian Victory
- SS Michael J. Owens (MCE-2958) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS Millinocket, torpedoed June 17, 1942
- SS Minot Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS New Orleans
- SS Niantic VictoryUSNS Watertown (T-AGM-6)USNS Watertown was a Watertown-class missile range instrumentation ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1960 and converted from her Victory ship cargo configuration to a missile tracking ship, a role she retained for eleven years before being placed out of service in 1971.-Victory ship constructed in...
(MCV-100) (operated by Isbrandtsen Line) - SS NoblesSS Robin MoorSS Robin Moor was a Hog Islander steamship that sailed under the American flag from 1919 until being sunk by on 21 May 1941, before the United States had entered World War II, after allowing the passengers and crew to disembark...
- SS Notre Dame Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS Pass Christian Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS Remsen Heights
- SS Red Jacket
- SS Resolute
- SS Robert F. Hoke (MCE-1968) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS Samuel Gorton (MCE-1459) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS Sangamon
- SS Saucon
- SS Saugus
- NS SavannahNS SavannahNS Savannah, named for SS Savannah, was the first nuclear-powered cargo-passenger ship, built in the late 1950s at a cost of $46.9 million, including a $28.3 million nuclear reactor and fuel core, funded by United States government agencies as a demonstration project for the potential...
- SS Sawokla
- SS Sea Falcon
- SS Sea Witch (photo)
- SS Seton Hall Victory (operated by Isbrandtsen Line)
- SS Sinsinawa
- CV Staghound, now the US Navy's
- SS Unicoi
- SS Vulcania
- SS Ward
- SS Will R. Wood (MCE-1956) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS William P. Fessenden (MCE-768) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
- SS Winona
- SS Young America
- SS Zebulon B. Vance (MCE-145) (operated by American Export Lines Inc.)
Some Principal Executives
- Henry Herbermann, 1920–1935
- William Hugh Coverdale, 1934–1949
- John E. Slater, 1934–1956
- John F. Gehan, 1939–1959
- Frazer A. Bailey, 1957–1959
- Josephine Bay Paul, 1959–1960
- Jakob Isbrandtsen, 1960–1971
- John M. Will, 1959–1971
External links
- Time Magazine - Monday, Jan. 16, 1950 — Rugged Individualist
- Time Magazine - Monday, Oct. 09, 1950 — Sea Lawyer
- Maritime Matters — index of Ocean liners and cruise ships
- Passenger service time tables
- Postcards featuring American Export Lines ships
- The Last Ocean Liners - American Export Lines - trade routes and ships of American Export Lines in the 1950s and 60s
- Josephine Bay Paul and C. Michael Paul Foundation
- Flags of the Isbrandtsen Steamship Company
- Flags of the American Export Lines
- Flag of the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines
- Passenger service dinnerware
- Detailed history of American Export Lines
- American Export Industries, Inc.
- Shipbuilding under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936