Contship Containerlines

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.

MV Contship Action

History

In 1968 Dr. Angelo Ravano founded Contship SA in Switzerland. The company's first sailing was undertaken by the MV 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. A European network with subsidiaries in Spain and the Netherlands in 1973 and 1974 was built 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 saw the formation of a UK subsidiary and the launch of the first direct container service between Europe and India. It was the first shipping line to handle containers in Bombay (now Mumbai). 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, operating a new service that linked Europe with the Near East.

The company moved its headquarters from Switzerland to Felixstowe and then Ipswich, thus becoming a 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 Curaçao.

Bold Eagle container ship approaching Felixstowe

Eagle Container Line linking North Europe and the Mediterranean with Australia commenced in 1982 as a non-conference service. With new agency companies in France and Italy, the start of the Eurasia Container Line and the introduction of 1000 TEU vessels into the Eagle service, 1985 was a busy year. 1986 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 and 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 and Far East leg and North European ports of call. With the acquisition of Costa Containerline they started a service from the Mediterranean to the US East and Gulf Coasts.

The 90s saw 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 changes to the Indian Sub-Continent service with CMB Transport joining Contship Eurasia 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 Eurasia 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 Eurasia/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 and 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. In 1997 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 Internet site and was the first container shipping line to paint its web address on the hull of all its vessels as mobile advertising.

In 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 headquarters moved from Ipswich to the new joint headquarters of CP Ships in Gatwick. A new Contship Logo was designed in 2004 when restructuring the brand/trade lane strategies, however it didn't achieve the public recognition 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 to be retired. In late 2005 CP Ships was bought up by TUI AG and merged in mid 2006 in the Hapag-Lloyd organization.

Contship Overland

Contship Overland was a division of Contship Containerlines operating in Europe's intermodal industry. The company had offices in Felixstowe, Glasgow and Milan, and worked with partners in Spain and Greece, providing rail freight 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 1 October 2001.

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.

MV Contship Optimism
MV Contship Nobility

International identifiers

SCAC Code: CCXL
Operator Code: CSA
BIC Codes (Container prefixes): CSQU, HAMU, PLVU, CLGU, TLEU, PSBU, PCRU, FANU (Fantainer)

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 5,938 GT 584 TEU Rickmers Werft, Bremerhaven, Germany 8104474  ?  ? Sailed for Contship from 1987 to 1988.
1982 Contship Success 31,570 GT 1700 TEU Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Tamano Works 8103406 ZCBF3 Bermuda Canmar Success 1997–1999, Contship Success 1999–2000, Cast Power 2000–2003, CP Power 2005–2006, Power 2006-
1982 Contship Lugano 5,404 GT 445 TEU J.J. Sietas KG Schiffswerft GmbH & Co., Hamburg, Germany 8121032  ?  ? Sailed for Contship from 1985 to 1988.
1983 Contship Endeavour 32,152 GT 1950 TEU Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., Yokosuka 8204626 ZCBE7 Bermuda later names: Cast Performance, Canmar Endurance, CP Endurance, Endurance, Still in service
1983 Contship Spain 13,474 GT 1044 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 8209755  ?  ?
1984 Contship Germany 12,691 GT 1128 TEU Flender Werft AG, Lübeck, Germany 8324608 V2WU Antigua & Barbuda Sailed for Contship from 1991 to 1992.
1985 Contship Australia 10,287 GT 1021 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 8513778 V2OB6 Antigua & Barbuda Sailed for Contship from 1990 to 1992.
1985 Contship America 22,667 GT 1800 TEU Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., South Korea 8509387 V7BZ3 Marshall Islands
1985 Contship America 10,256 GT 1021 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 8513766 V2AJ5 Antigua & Barbuda Sailed for Contship from Aug. 1993 to Nov. 1993.
1985 Contship America 22,667 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 10,282 GT 1228 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 8415641 VSUV4 United Kingdom Sailed for Contship from 1988 to 1994
1985 Contship Canada 9,367 GT 1002 TEU Rickmers Werft, Bremerhaven, Germany 8417558 V2CA1 Antigua & Barbuda
1985 Contship England 10,282 GT 1022 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 8415615 DPEW Germany
1985 Contship Europe 10,282 GT 1022 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 8415639  ? Germany Former Eagle Container Lines Bold Eagle. Sailed for Contship from 1989 to 1993.
1985 Contship Italy 12,569 GT 1150 TEU Flender Werft AG, Lübeck, Germany 8411205 H8TJ Panama Sailed for Contship from 1989 to 1990.
1986 Contship Egypt 13,335 GT 896 TEU VEB Schiffswerft Neptun, Rostock, Germany 8520379 P3GF8 Cyprus Sailed for Contship from 1991 to 1993.
1986 Contship Success 16,250 GT 1597 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 8513780  ?  ? Sailed for Contship from Dec. 1992 to 1994
1987 Contship Asia 10,811 GT 1022 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 8614194 DPGD Germany Sailed for Contship from 1988 to 1991
1988 Contship Asia 13,315 GT 928 TEU VEB Schiffswerft Neptun, Rostock, Germany 8609589 P3CA8 Cyprus
1988 Contship Houston 31,430 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 31,430 GT 2073 TEU Chantiers du Nord et Mediterrane, France 8509387 H3QJ Panama
1989 Contship Nouméa 18,000 GT 1743 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 8902125 ELTY3 Liberia
1990 Contship Argentina 18,037 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 9 November 1998. Scrapped at Tampico, arrived on 4 May 1999.
1990 Contship Ipswich 16,236 GT 1597 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 8908167 A8JV6 Liberia
1990 Contship Jork 16,236 GT 1597 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 8908181 DEJA Germany Contship Ocean Star Service
1990 Contship La Spezia 16,236 GT 1597 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 8908179  ? Germany
1991 Contship Australia 16,236 GT 1597 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 9008524 ELVJ9 Liberia
1991 Contship Barcelona 16,236 GT 1599 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 9008536 DQEX Germany Contship Ocean Star Service
1992 Contship Germany 16,236 GT 1600 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 9051222 DLCX Germany Contship Eagle/Ocean Star Service - painted fully in pink!
1992 Contship Mexico 30,567 GT 1933 TEU Stocznia Gdanska SA, Poland 9039250 P3ZH4 Cyprus Sailed for Contship from 1998 to 1999.
1993 Contship Asia 16,236 GT 1597 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 9053244 DDQI Germany Contship Eurasia, Proline, Levant Service
1993 Contship Atlantic 23,130 GT 1684 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 9070022 DEAL Germany Contship Eurasia Service / Sailed for Contship from 1993 to 1997
1993 Contship France 16,236 GT 1597 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 9053232 DLDB Germany Contship Ocean Star Service
1993 Contship Le Havre 14,865 GT 1452 TEU Kvaerner Warnow Werft GmbH, Germany 9004255 V2OA3 Antigua & Barbuda
1993 Contship New York 16,233 GT 1667 TEU J.J. Sietas KG Schiffswerft GmbH & Co., Hamburg, Germany 9056272 A8AG5 Liberia
1993 Contship Pacific 16,236 GT 1684 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 9070010 V2OZ5 Antigua Contship Eurasia/Eagle Service
1993 Contship Rotterdam 16,233 GT 1667 TEU J.J. Sietas KG Schiffswerft GmbH & Co., Hamburg, Germany 9056284 A8KJ4 Liberia
1994 Contship Champion 35,595 GT 3538 TEU Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., South Korea 9064865 DGRF Germany 2003 CP / 2005: CP Champion / In service
1994 Contship Egypt 16,927 GT 1641 TEU Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd., South Korea 9060273 V2OM Antigua Sailed for Contship from 1994 to 1995
1994 Contship Europe 16,269 GT 1687 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 9106144 DEFA Germany Contship Ocean Star Service
1994 Contship Innovator 35,595 GT 3538 TEU Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., South Korea 9064877 DNFA Germany 2003 CP / 2005: CP Innovator / In service
1994 Contship Inspiration 30,971 GT 2394 TEU Astilleros Españoles, S.A., Spain 9051492 H8MU Panama Sailed for Contship from 2001 to 2003. Former name: TMM Yucatan (2000)
1994 Contship Italy 16,270 GT 1684 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 9109029 DDMM / DEEU Germany Contship Ocean Star Service - painted fully in blue
1994 Contship New Zealand 16,282 GT 1684 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 9070034 DEBH Germany Contship Eurasia Service
1994 Contship Singapore 16,236 GT 1687 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 9070046 DEBO Germany Contship Ocean Star Service - painted fully in yellow
1994 Contship Tahiti 4,619 GT 1334 TEU Stocznia Szczecinska S.A., Poland 9057135 P3TN5 Cyprus later names: TMM Tuxpan
1994 Contship Sydney 23,540 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 23,691 GT 2063 TEU Stocznia Szczecinska S.A., Poland 9064334 ELVL8 Liberia Sailed for Contship from 1995 to 1997.
1995 Contship Lavagna 16,270 GT 1684 TEU Bremer Vulkan AG - Schiffbau, Germany 9109017 DEFI Germany Contship Ocean Star Service
1995 Contship Melbourne 23,540 GT 2078 TEU Stocznia Gdanska SA, Poland 9062996 VSXC7 United Kingdom 1997 CP / 2005: CP Voyager / 2006: Fremantle Express / In service
1995 Contship Nobility 31,730 GT 2758 TEU Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea 9128192 DGKV Germany 1997 CP / 2003 sold
1995 Contship Ticino 16,269 GT 1684 TEU A.G. Weser Seebeckwerft, Germany 9111565 DEJL Germany Contship Ocean Star Service
1996 Contship Action 31,730 GT 2890 TEU Kvarner Warnow Werft Gmbh, Rostock, Germany 9122215 P3JA9 Germany 2003:Tegesos 2004:Norasia Tegesos 2009:Tegesos 2012:Tag 81 2012 Demolition At Alang.
1996 Contship Ambition 31,730 GT 2890 TEU Kvarner Warnow Werft Gmbh, Rostock, Germany 9122203 P3GU7 Cyprus 2002:Telanon 2004:Norasia Telanon 2007:Nautic 2010:Pisti 2015:Isti' 2015 Demolished At Alang.
1996 Contship Brasil 15,859 GT 1512 TEU Thyssen Nordseewerke GmbH, Germany 9081019 DIGF Germany Contship Proline Service
1996 Contship Vision 31,730 GT 2758 TEU Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea 9128180 DGGV Germany 1997 CP / 2003 sold
1997 Contship Champion 31,207 GT 2890 TEU Kvaerner Warnow Werft GmbH, Rostock, Germany 9137909 V7GU3 Marshall Islands 1997:Telendos (Launched) 2002:Champion 2003:Indamex Delaware 2004:CMA CGM Dardanelles 2008:Champion 2010:Nanjing Dragon 2012: Champion 2012:Champion 1 2012 Scrapped At Alang.
1997 Contship Champion 31,730 GT 3538 TEU Hyundai Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea 9064865 DGRF Germany 1994:Ville De Vela 2004:Indamex New York 2005:Northern Reliance 2010:Kalani 2012:Northern Reliance 2013 Scrapped At Alang.
1997 Contship Harmony 31,207 GT 2890 TEU Kvaerner Warnow Werft GmbH, Rostock, Germany 9137894 P3JM9 Germany 2003:Conti Harmony 2010:San Pedro Bay Dragon 2011:Conti Harmony 2014 Scrapped At Alang.
1997 Contship London 26,131 GT 2124 TEU China SB Corp., Kaohsiung, Taiwan 9152739 ELVX4 Liberia 2005: CP London / 2006: London / In service
1997 Contship Optimism 31,730 GT 2758 TEU Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea 9128207 DGOL Germany 1997 CP / 2003 sold
1997 Contship Romance 31,730 GT 2758 TEU Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea 9128207 DLCT Germany 1997 CP / 2003 sold
1997 Contship Spirit 31,730 GT 2758 TEU Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea 9153381 DDJI Germany 1997 CP / 2003 sold, 2004: Micheala S, 2007: MSC Crisobal, 2009: Maersk Nantes
1997 Contship Washington 26,131 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 26,131 GT 2124 TEU China SB Corp., Kaohsiung, Taiwan 9160396 ELWA2 Liberia 2005: CP Auckland, 2006: CMA CGM Buenos Aires, In service
1998 Contship Rangitoto 25,359 GT 2500 TEU Volkswerft Stralsund GmbH, Germany 9153408 DGZO Germany former Italia Line vessel Cielo di San Francisco, 2005: CP Rangitoto, 2006: Rangitoto, Ute Oltmann
1998 Contship Rome 26,131 GT 2124 TEU China SB Corp., Kaohsiung, Taiwan 9152753 ELVZ6 Liberia 2005: CP Rome, 2006: Rome, Aenne Rickmers, In service
1998 Contship Wellington 26,131 GT 2124 TEU China SB Corp., Kaohsiung, Taiwan 9152765 ELVZ7 Liberia 2002: Direct Kea, 2005: CP Kea, CMA CGM Cezanne, Alice Rickmers, In service
1999 Contship Mexico 28,118 GT 1644 TEU Stocznia Szczecinska S.A., Poland 9131278 ELXL6 Liberia CCNI Antofagasta, CCNI Aviles, Sophie, In service
2001 Contship Dragon 39,812 GT 4132 TEU Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., South Korea 9232890 C6SG5 Bahamas CMA CGM Vega, MSC England, 2007–present
2002 Contship Aurora 46,009 GT 4115 TEU Daewoo SB & Marine Eng. Co. Ltd., Okpo, South Korea 9232565 ZIZP9 United Kingdom 2005: CP Aurora, Maersk Dexter, Liverpool Express, In service
2002 Contship Australis 46,009 GT 4115 TEU Daewoo SB & Marine Eng. Co. Ltd., Okpo, South Korea 9232577 VQEN3 United Kingdom 2005: CP Australis, Maersk Dale, Dublin Express, In service
2002 Contship Borealis 46,009 GT 4115 TEU Daewoo SB & Marine Eng. Co. Ltd., Okpo, South Korea 9232589 VQEN2 United Kingdom 2005: CP Borealis, Maersk Dayton, Glasgow Express, In service
2002 Contship Tenacity 40,146 GT 3237 TEU China SB Corp., Kaohsiung, Taiwan 9243174 WDD6127 USA other names: TMM Colima, CP Shenandoah, Yorktown Express, In service
2003 Contship Indigo 39,941 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 39,941 GT 4311 TEU Samsung SB & Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd., South Korea 9238765 VQMM2 United Kingdom 2005: CP Tamarind / 2006: Thuringia Express / In service

Contship often re-used vessel names, see the IMO Number.

MV Contship Auckland

See also
MV Contship Champion

References
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