Contship Containerlines
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Contship Containerlines was a global container carrier operating from 1969 to 2005 in the India/Pakistan, Levant, Australia/New Zealand, South America and Asia trade, mainly to and from Europe.
The company was founded just as containerization was beginning and continuously grew up with the growth of this market.
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[edit] History
In 1968 Dr. Angelo Ravano founded Contship SA in Switzerland. The company's first sailing was undertaken by the M.V. Sea Maid from Fos to Casablanca in October 1969.
During 1970 an agency arm was set up in Milan and terminal operations were started at La Spezia. Some 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) were handled in the first year. The following years saw the seeds grow quickly and a European network with subsidiaries in Spain and the Netherlands in 1973 and 1974 were build up. The transfer of the agency representation in Milan to Genoa in 1974 was accompanied by the expansion of the service portfolio to eastern Mediterranean ports. In 1976 Ellerman City Liners appointed Contship's agency arm in Portugal.
1977 two important steps were made with the formation of a UK subsidiary and the launch of the first direct container service between Europe and India. This move reflected the ambitions to become a significant player on key routes. In becoming the first shipping line to handle containers in Bombay (now Mumbai), the die was cast for a pioneering approach to container shipping. More experience of working partnerships was gained from 1979 through the formation of the Contship Gulf Line as a joint service agreement with Ellerman City Lines - a new service that linked Europe with the Near East.
In the second decade, the company's development quickened apace. In moving their Headquarter from Switzerland to Felixtowe and then Ipswich, Contship became a firm part of the UK's shipping establishment. The early 80s saw Contship expanding and widening their interests. In Spain, they won the agency representation for Trans Freight Lines. In the UK, they shared in the setting up of Arrowfreight, a freight forwarding operation. Meanwhile, a group holding company was established in Curacao. All simple steps in enhancing the company's international presence and reputation.
Eagle Container Line linking North Europe and the Mediterranean with Australia commenced in 1982 as a non-conference service gave customers the choice of a competitively priced an equally reliable option. With new agency companies in France and Italy, the start of the Euroasia Container Line and the introduction of 1000 TEU vessels into the Eagle service, 1985 was a busy year. In terms of becoming a global operator, 1986 was especially significant as it saw the formation of Ocean Star Container Line, operating a westbound round-the world service. The following year saw the commencement of the Medipas service operating between the Mediterranean and India/Pakistan. In 1987 the Contship Containerlines brand was established. It gradually took over management control of Contship's container shipping services, agency and intermodal activities. At the end of the second decade, Ocean Star was expanded to include an Australian/Far East leg and North European ports of call. With the acquisition of Costa Containerline they started a Med - US East/Gulf Coast Service.
In the 90s, the pace quickened even more with new vessels for the Eagle service, a revision of the Costa operation and start of the Salerno Terminal operations. 1991 was a year that saw pioneering changes to the Indian Sub-Continent service with CMB Transport joining Contship Euroasia Line through a joint service agreement. Joint service agreements have always played an important part in Contship's activities. In 1993 just such an agreement with P&O brought a restructuring of the Eagle service and an upgrade of Ocean Star with the addition of larger tonnage. Further tonnage upgrading was made to Contship's Euroasia service and the Gulf Line was reconfigured as Contship Levant Line in association with four partners in 1994. With terminal operations starting in Savona and Gioia Tauro in 1995 and with restructuring of the Euroasia/Medasia services and the establishing of a Med-US Gulf and Mexico service they made further service improvements.
In 1996 the Levant service was modified and the Mediterranean-US/Mexico service was upgraded. The company also took over the Pro Line, thereby bringing Contship Containerlines into the trade between North Europe and South America. A new era began in 1997 when Contship was acquired by CP Ships, being one of the few shipping lines CP took over at a profitable level. The Ocean Star service was retonnaged and Contship entered into partnership with the CMA-CGM Group and Marfret in 1998. 1999 was a year of consolidating existing operations and building a platform for further growth. They made significant cost efficiencies, improved their profitability and entered new and complementary trade lanes including the US West Coast to the Mediterranean. The same year Contship launched its information-driven Internet site and painted, as the first container shipping line, its web address www.contship.com on the hull of all its vessels as a mobile advertising.
2001 a new service between China and Europe was established in co-operation with CMA-CGM, however this trade had to be withdrawn from the market in early March 2003 due to lack of profitability caused by Import/Export imbalances, low freight rates and high fixed slot costs.
The Australasian trade lane was restructured and retonnaged, providing new 4100 TEU vessels with the capability to carry a high percentage of refrigerated containers in late 2002. In 2003 the Headquarter moved from Ipswich to the new joint Headquarter of CP Ships in Gatwick. A new Contship Logo was designed in 2004 when restructuring the brand/trade lane strategies, however it did never reach the public recognition as the old one did. In January 2006 the Contship Containerlines brand was replaced by the CP Ships brand following CP's one brand strategy promoted by the "One brand - One team" project, being the last CP Ships brand which was retired. In late 2005 CP Ships was bought up by TUI AG and merged in mid 2006 in the Hapag-Lloyd organization.
[edit] Contship Overland
Contship Overland was a division of Contship Containerlines operating at the forefront of Europe's intermodal industry. The company had offices in Felixstowe, Glasgow and Milan, and worked with partners in Spain and Greece, providing rail freight solutions to key markets and road freight options where required by customers. Its main business consisted of intermodal container and swapbody traffic between the UK and Italy, mostly by rail via the Channel Tunnel. After approximately ten years in business, Contship Overland was sold to the Rotterdam-based intermodal transport operator Geest North Sea Line with effect of 1st October 2001.
[edit] Contship Italia Group
When Contship Containerlines was acquired by CP Ships in 1997, the terminal operations in Italy stayed an independent company, not owned by CP. Today, this company acts under the name Contship Italia Group still using the old Contship logo. Further information can be found on their website.
[edit] Awards
- Lloyd's of London Press Liner Analysis Award for:
- Best schedule reliability and fastest transit times between Europe and Australia/New Zealand
- Best schedule reliability between Europe and the Persian Gulf/Arabian Sea
- Best schedule reliability between Europe and South Asia
- Best schedule reliability between Europe and South America
- Daily Commercial News Lloyd's Award for:
- Eagle Service
- Eastabout Service
- Mediterranean Service
- 8th International Freighting Weekly Shipping Line of the Year 2003 Award
[edit] International identifiers
SCAC Code: CCXL
Operator Code: CSA
BIC Codes (Container prefixes): CSQU, HAMU, PLVU, CLGU, TLEU, PSBU, PCRU, FANU (Fantainer)
[edit] Vessels
(applies to pre-1997 vessels only)
Built | Name | Tonnage | Capacity | Shipyard | IMO Number | Call sign | Flag | Status/Comments |
? | Contship Classica | ? | ? | ? | 9143246 | ? | ? | |
1981 | Contship Champion | 5938 GT | 584 TEU | Rickmers Werft, Bremerhaven, Germany | 8104474 | ? | ? | Sailed for Contship from 1987 to 1988. |
1982 | Contship Success | 31570 GT | 1700 TEU | Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Tamano Works | 8103406 | ZCBF3 | Bermuda | Canmar Success 1997–1999, Contship Succes 1999–2000, Cast Power 2000–2003, CP Power 2005–2006 |
1982 | Contship Lugano | 5404 GT | 445 TEU | J.J. Sietas KG Schiffswerft GmbH & Co., Hamburg, Germany | 8121032 | ? | ? | Sailed for Contship from 1985 to 1988. |
1983 | Contship Endeavour | 32152 GT | 1950 TEU | Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., Yokosuka | 8204626 | ZCBE7 | Bermuda | later names: Cast Performance, Canmar Endurance, CP Endurance |
1983 | Contship Spain | 13474 GT | 1044 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 8209755 | ? | ? | |
1984 | Contship Germany | 12691 GT | 1128 TEU | Flender Werft AG, Lübeck, Germany | 8324608 | V2WU | Antigua & Barbuda | Sailed for Contship from 1991 to 1992. |
1985 | Contship Australia | 10287 GT | 1021 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 8513778 | V2OB6 | Antigua & Barbuda | Sailed for Contship from 1990 to 1992. |
1985 | Contship America | 22667 GT | 1800 TEU | Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., South Korea | 8509387 | V7BZ3 | Marshall Islands | |
1985 | Contship America | 10256 GT | 1021 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 8513766 | V2AJ5 | Antigua & Barbuda | Sailed for Contship from Aug. 1993 to Nov. 1993. |
1985 | Contship America | 22667 GT | 1552 TEU | Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., South Korea | 8408856 | 3EIP3 | Panama | Sailed for Contship in 1995 and 1996 for a short time. |
1985 | Contship Brave | 10282 GT | 1228 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 8415641 | VSUV4 | United Kingdom | Sailed for Contship from 1988 to 1994 |
1985 | Contship Canada | 9367 GT | 1002 TEU | Rickmers Werft, Bremerhaven, Germany | 8417558 | V2CA1 | Antigua & Barbuda | |
1985 | Contship England | 10282 GT | 1022 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 8415615 | DPEW | Germany | |
1985 | Contship Europe | 10282 GT | 1022 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 8415639 | ? | Germany | Sailed for Contship from 1989 to 1993. |
1985 | Contship Italy | 12569 GT | 1150 TEU | Flender Werft AG, Lübeck, Germany | 8411205 | H8TJ | Panama | Sailed for Contship from 1989 to 1990. |
1986 | Contship Egypt | 13335 GT | 896 TEU | VEB Schiffswerft Neptun, Rostock, Germany | 8520379 | P3GF8 | Cyprus | Sailed for Contship from 1991 to 1993. |
1986 | Contship Success | 16250 GT | 1597 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 8513780 | ? | ? | Sailed for Contship from Dec. 1992 to 1994 |
1987 | Contship Asia | 10811 GT | 1022 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 8614194 | DPGD | Germany | Sailed for Contship from 1988 to 1991 |
1988 | Contship Asia | 13315 GT | 928 TEU | VEB Schiffswerft Neptun, Rostock, Germany | 8609589 | P3CA8 | Cyprus | |
1988 | Contship Houston | 31430 GT | 2073 TEU | Chantiers du Nord et Mediterrane, France | 8420907 | ELUA5 | Liberia | Sailed for Contship in 1997. Further name: TMM Oaxaca. Ran aground in the mouth of Mississippi River in Dec. 1999, but re-floated. |
1989 | Contship America | 31430 GT | 2073 TEU | Chantiers du Nord et Mediterrane, France | 8509387 | H3QJ | Panama | |
1989 | Contship Noumea | 18000 GT | 1743 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 8902125 | ELTY3 | Liberia | |
1990 | Contship Argentina | 18037 GT | 1799 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | ? | ? | ? | Contship Proline Service / Sailed for Contship from 1996 to 1997 / Explosion and fire in a hold on 9th November 1998. Scrapped at Tampico, arrived on 4th May 1999. |
1990 | Contship Ipswich | 16236 GT | 1597 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 8908167 | A8JV6 | Liberia | |
1990 | Contship Jork | 16236 GT | 1597 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 8908181 | DEJA | Germany | Contship Ocean Star Service |
1990 | Contship La Spezia | 16236 GT | 1597 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 8908179 | ? | Germany | |
1991 | Contship Australia | 16236 GT | 1597 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 9008524 | ELVJ9 | Liberia | |
1991 | Contship Barcelona | 16236 GT | 1599 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 9008536 | DQEX | Germany | Contship Ocean Star Service |
1992 | Contship Germany | 16236 GT | 1600 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 9051222 | DLCX | Germany | Contship Eagle/Ocean Star Service - painted fully in pink! |
1992 | Contship Mexico | 30567 GT | 1933 TEU | Stocznia Gdanska SA, Poland | 9039250 | P3ZH4 | Cyprus | Sailed for Contship from 1998 to 1999. |
1993 | Contship Asia | 16236 GT | 1597 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 9053244 | DDQI | Germany | Contship Euroasia, Proline, Levant Service |
1993 | Contship Atlantic | 23130 GT | 1684 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 9070022 | DEAL | Germany | Contship Euroasia Service / Sailed for Contship from 1993 to 1997 |
1993 | Contship France | 16236 GT | 1597 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 9053232 | DLDB | Germany | Contship Ocean Star Service |
1993 | Contship Le Havre | 14865 GT | 1452 TEU | Kvaerner Warnow Werft GmbH, Germany | 9004255 | V2OA3 | Antigua & Barbuda | |
1993 | Contship New York | 16233 GT | 1667 TEU | J.J. Sietas KG Schiffswerft GmbH & Co., Hamburg, Germany | 9056272 | A8AG5 | Liberia | |
1993 | Contship Pacific | 16236 GT | 1684 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 9070010 | V2OZ5 | Antigua | Contship Euroasia/Eagle Service |
1993 | Contship Rotterdam | 16233 GT | 1667 TEU | J.J. Sietas KG Schiffswerft GmbH & Co., Hamburg, Germany | 9056284 | A8KJ4 | Liberia | |
1994 | Contship Champion | 35595 GT | 3538 TEU | Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., South Korea | 9064865 | DGRF | Germany | 2003 CP / 2005: CP Champion / In service |
1994 | Contship Egypt | 16927 GT | 1641 TEU | Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd., South Korea | 9060273 | V2OM | Antigua | Sailed for Contship from 1994 to 1995 |
1994 | Contship Europe | 16269 GT | 1687 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 9106144 | DEFA | Germany | Contship Ocean Star Service |
1994 | Contship Innovator | 35595 GT | 3538 TEU | Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., South Korea | 9064877 | DNFA | Germany | 2003 CP / 2005: CP Innovator / In service |
1994 | Contship Inspiration | 30971 GT | 2394 TEU | Astilleros Espanoles, S.A., Spain | 9051492 | H8MU | Panama | Sailed for Contship from 2001 to 2003. Former name: TMM Yucatan (2000) |
1994 | Contship Italy | 16270 GT | 1684 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 9109029 | DDMM / DEEU | Germany | Contship Ocean Star Service - painted fully in blue |
1994 | Contship New Zealand | 16282 GT | 1684 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 9070034 | DEBH | Germany | Contship Euroasia Service |
1994 | Contship Singapore | 16236 GT | 1687 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 9070046 | DEBO | Germany | Contship Ocean Star Service - painted fully in yellow |
1994 | Contship Tahiti | 4619 GT | 1334 TEU | Stocznia Szczecinska S.A., Poland | 9057135 | P3TN5 | Cyprus | later names: TMM Tuxpan |
1994 | Contship Sydney | 23540 GT | 2078 TEU | Stocznia Gdanska SA, Poland | 9062984 | VSXC4 | United Kingdom | Further names: Canmar Dynasty / 2005: CP Dynasty / 2006: Sydney Express / In service |
1995 | Contship Auckland | 23691 GT | 2063 TEU | Stocznia Szczecinska S.A., Poland | 9064334 | ELVL8 | Liberia | Sailed for Contship from 1995 to 1997. |
1995 | Contship Lavagna | 16270 GT | 1684 TEU | Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany | 9109017 | DEFI | Germany | Contship Ocean Star Service |
1995 | Contship Melbourne | 23540 GT | 2078 TEU | Stocznia Gdanska SA, Poland | 9062996 | VSXC7 | United Kingdom | 1997 CP / 2005: CP Voyager / 2006: Freemantle Express / In service |
1995 | Contship Nobility | 31730 GT | 2758 TEU | Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea | 9128192 | DGKV | Germany | 1997 CP / 2003 sold |
1995 | Contship Ticino | 16269 GT | 1684 TEU | A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany | 9111565 | DEJL | Germany | Contship Ocean Star Service |
1996 | Contship Action | 31730 GT | 2758 TEU | Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea | 9122215 | DLHV | Germany | 1997 CP / 2003 sold |
1996 | Contship Ambition | 31730 GT | 2758 TEU | Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea | 9122203 | P3GU7 | Cyprus | 1997 CP / 2003 sold |
1996 | Contship Brasil | 15859 GT | 1512 TEU | Thyssen Nordseewerke GmbH, Germany | 9081019 | DIGF | Germany | Contship Proline Service |
1996 | Contship Vision | 31730 GT | 2758 TEU | Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea | 9128180 | DGGV | Germany | 1997 CP / 2003 sold |
1997 | Contship Champion | 31207 GT | 2890 TEU | Kvaerner Warnow Werft GmbH, Rostock, Germany | 9137909 | V7GU3 | Marshal islands | Sailed for Contship in 2000. |
1997 | Contship Champion | 31730 GT | 2758 TEU | Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea | 9064865 | DGRF | Germany | 1997 CP / 2003 sold |
1997 | Contship Harmony | 31207 GT | 2890 TEU | Kvaerner Warnow Werft GmbH, Rostock, Germany | 9137894 | P3JM9 | Germany | Contship Euroasia/Red Sea Service, renamed as Contship Innovator |
1997 | Contship London | 26131 GT | 2124 TEU | China SB Corp., Kaohsiung, Taiwan | 9152739 | ELVX4 | Liberia | 2005: CP London / 2006: London / In service |
1997 | Contship Optimism | 31730 GT | 2758 TEU | Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea | 9128207 | DGOL | Germany | 1997 CP / 2003 sold |
1997 | Contship Romance | 31730 GT | 2758 TEU | Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea | 9128207 | DLCT | Germany | 1997 CP / 2003 sold |
1997 | Contship Spirit | 31730 GT | 2758 TEU | Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea | 9153381 | DDJI | Germany | 1997 CP / 2003 sold |
1997 | Contship Washington | 26131 GT | 2124 TEU | China SB Corp., Kaohsiung, Taiwan | 9152741 | ELVZ5 | Liberia | 2002: Direct Tui / 2005: CP Tui / 2006: Honolulu Express / In service |
1998 | Contship Auckland | 26131 GT | 2124 TEU | China SB Corp., Kaohsiung, Taiwan | 9160396 | ELWA2 | Liberia | 2005: CP Auckland / In service |
1998 | Contship Rangitoto | 25359 GT | 2500 TEU | Volkswerft Stralsund GmbH, Germany | 9153408 | DGZO | Germany | former Italia Line vessel Cielo di San Francisco, 2005: CP Rangitoto, 2006: Rangitoto |
1998 | Contship Rome | 26131 GT | 2124 TEU | China SB Corp., Kaohsiung, Taiwan | 9152753 | ELVZ6 | Liberia | 2005: CP Rome / 2006: Rome / In service |
1998 | Contship Wellington | 26131 GT | 2124 TEU | China SB Corp., Kaohsiung, Taiwan | 9152765 | ELVZ7 | Liberia | 2002: Direct Kea / 2005: CP Kea / In service |
1999 | Contship Mexico | 28118 GT | 1644 TEU | Stocznia Szczecinska S.A., Poland | 9131278 | ELXL6 | Liberia | |
2001 | Contship Dragon | 39812 GT | 4132 TEU | Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., South Korea | 9232890 | C6SG5 | Bahamas | not sure when sailed for Contship |
2002 | Contship Aurora | 46009 GT | 4115 TEU | Daewoo SB & Marine Eng. Co. Ltd., Okpo, South Korea | 9232565 | ZIZP9 | United Kingdom | 2005: CP Aurora / Liverpool Express, In service |
2002 | Contship Australis | 46009 GT | 4115 TEU | Daewoo SB & Marine Eng. Co. Ltd., Okpo, South Korea | 9232577 | VQEN3 | United Kingdom | 2005: CP Australis / In service |
2002 | Contship Borealis | 46009 GT | 4115 TEU | Daewoo SB & Marine Eng. Co. Ltd., Okpo, South Korea | 9232589 | VQEN2 | United Kingdom | 2005: CP Borealis / In service |
2002 | Contship Tenacity | 40146 GT | 3237 TEU | China SB Corp., Kaohsiung, Taiwan | 9243174 | WDD6127 | USA | other names: TMM Colima, CP Shenandoah |
2003 | Contship Indigo | 39941 GT | 4311 TEU | Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea | 9238753 | VQJW4 | United Kingdom | 2005: CP Indigo / 2006: Bavaria Express / In service |
2003 | Contship Tamarind | 39941 GT | 4311 TEU | Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea | 9238765 | VQMM2 | United Kingdom | 2005: CP Tamarind / 2006: Thuringia Express / In service |
- GRT = Gross Register Tonnage / BRT (old unit of measurement)
- GT = Gross Tonnage / BRZ (introduced 18 July 1994)
- TEU = Twenty-foot equivalent units
Notice that Contship often re-used vessel names, however these are different ships - see the IMO Number.
[edit] References
- Bureau International des Containers (Container prefix codes, now linking Contship units to Hapag-Lloyd due to the merger)
- EDGAR Online: CP Ships Limited - Revised 2003 Annual Information Form, 07. September 2004
- Contship Containerlines Ltd.: Official website - page offline - please refer to History of CP Ships
- Contship Containerlines Ltd.: Celebrating 30 glorious years (printed brochure), 1999
- Contship Containerlines Ltd.: Liner Services Directory (printed brochure), 2000
- CP Ships: Press release - CMA CGM Slot Charter Agreement Brings CP Ships into Europe-Asia Trade, 29. Januar 2001
- CP Ships: Press release - CP Ships Takes Delivery of Contship Aurora, 09. September 2002
- CP Ships: Press release - CP Ships Restructures Australasian Trade Lanes, 04. October 2002
- CP Ships: Press release - CP Ships to Withdraw from Asia-Europe Slot Charter, 17. December 2002
- CP Ships: Press release - CP Ships Adopts a Single Brand, 28. April 2005
- Geest North Sea Line: Press release - Geest acquires Contship Overland operation, 20. September 2001
- Marine Link: Eagle is Landing for Contship Containerlines, 30. September 2002
- Marine Link: Contship Containerlines Wins Third Party Endorsement, 13. December 2002
- Shippers Today: Contship Containerlines' mobile advertising, 1999
- SMDG Group (Carrier codes for EDIFACT messages, now having replaced Contship with Hapag-Lloyd due to the merger)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Contship Italia Group
- Diario Contship Italia (in Italian)