AMERICAN EXPORT LINES

Last updated June 2009

American Export Lines, New York, was the biggest 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. In 1977 it declared bankruptcy and was acquired by Farrell Lines, New York.

The Export Steamship Corporation Inc. was founded in January 1919 under the laws of the State of New York. The first Export transatlantic sailing was undertaken by the 3,274 ton chartered freighter MILLINOCKET, which left New York on 16 May 1919 for Antwerp. The Export Steamship Corporation is often regarded as having run exclusively between the USA and the Mediterranean but, in fact, its first few sailings were all to Northern Europe. The first Mediterranean voyage was taken by the LAKE FESTINA, a brand new ship built at Toledo, Ohio, hence her sailing on 26 July from Montreal for Gibraltar, Piraeus and the Black Sea. By 1928 the Company had the largest privately owned American flag fleet in the North Atlantic trade, with 22 ships.

In August 1928, in accordance with the Merchant Marine Act of 1928, the Company was awarded a ten year mail contract at increased remuneration.

A few weeks later the Company proposed to build four passenger and cargo vessels for a new mail service from New York to the Mediterranean, and a loan of 75 per cent of their cost having been approved by the United States Shipping Board. Hitherto, the American Export ships had carried a maximum of 12 passengers, and as an indication of their new policy two of the existing fleet, the EXARCH and EXCELSIOR, were converted to carry 37 passengers, all in outside cabins on the bridge deck. The dining saloons were enlarged, and the ships were fitted with lounges and smoking rooms. The EXCELSIOR was ready in time to sail from New York on 21 May 1929 and the EXARCH on 4 July. A third ship, the EXILONA, was also converted and left on 10 October. These round voyages occupied about 75 days, the fare was from $375 and sailings were approximately once a month. There was no fixed itinerary. On the first of two typical occasions, calls were made at Gibraltar, Malta, Alexandria, Jaffa, Haifa and Beirut, and on the second at Gibraltar, Piraeus, Salonika, Constantinople and Constanza.

In March 1934 the United States Commerce Department demanded a complete reorganisation of the Export Steamship Corporation, and a new company,American Export Lines Inc. was formed in August 1936.

In 1929 and 1930 the original 4 Aces were built and operated in the Mediterranean until 1940 when they became rescue ships for families and individuals fleeing Nazi Europe. In 1942 the 4 Aces were turned over to the U.S. navy for war-time missions.

After the war, work was started on rebuilding the four 'ACE' type passenger ships from Navy surplus attack-cargo vessels originally built at the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Sparrow Point yard.

It was announced in October 1960 that the Isbrandtsen Company Inc., of New York, had acquired a controlling interest in American Export Lines by buying the holdings of Mr & Mrs C. Michael Paul. In October 1962 the new title American Export & Isbrandtsen Lines came into use, amended a year or so later to American Export Isbrandtsen Lines Inc. A new house flag was introduced at this time to denote the change of ownership.

The Isbrandtsen interests withdrew from American Export in 1973, and the Company's title again became American Export Lines Inc.

The American Export Lines were acquired on 28 March 1978 by FARRELL LINES INC of New York, a line dating back to 1926. As a result, Farrell Lines became the largest privately-owned shipping company in the United States. The name American Export Lines has largely been dropped from advertisements, but the description American Export Service is retained in connection with Farrell services from East Coast ports of the USA to the Mediterranean, to the United Kingdom and to Northern Europe.

Farrell Lines was acquired by Royal P&O Nedlloyd in July 2000. The Royal P&O Nedlloyd was acquired by A.P. Moller-Maersk Group in August 2005.

AMERICAN EXPORT LINES

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