Norwegian America Line (NAL)
(Den Norske Amerikalinje A/S)
(Est. 1910)


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The Early Years (1910 – 1919):

Norwegian America Line (Den Norske Amerikalinje A/S) was formed in 1910, during a period of rapid growth in the Norwegian shipping industry. In 1911, orders for two 11000grt liners were placed with Cammell Laird of Birkenhead, for delivery in 1913. These became the Kristianiafjord (1) and Bergensfjord (1), which established the suffix "-fjord" in the NAL fleet. They were extremely successful, taking much traffic from the DFDS Scandinavian-America Line. A third ship was ordered from the same builders, but the war delayed delivery of Stavangerfjord until 1918. Kristianiafjord (1) was lost due to grounding in 1917.

The Interwar Years (1919 - 1945):

Following the First World War, NAL expanded rapidly with new cargo-liners constructed in the UK and Canada - by 1923 they had 19 vessels. In 1914, cargo ships were chartered to supply grain to Norway, which although a neutral country during the Great War, suffered from a lack of foreign imports and also lost many ships to U-Boats and mines. Before the end of the war, the company had purchased several other cargo steamers and even a sailing ship.

The company then expanded and in 1920 owned 12 vessels and by 1923 grew to become one of Norway's largest shipping companies with 19 vessels. The economic collapse of the 1920's and new United States emigration regulations caused the company to diversify into other routes and also into pleasure cruising. In 1925, the first NAL cruises were operated to the North Cape, Norwegian fjords, Scotland, Iceland and the Baltic. Fortunes improved in the 1930s, and a new passenger ship, the Oslofjord (2) was delivered from a German yard in 1938. Her life was short, however, since she was lost to a mine in 1940.

Postwar Recovery and Decline (1945 – 1980):

Heavy ship losses were incurred during the Second World War, but a new program of ship building after 1945 quickly replaced these. This postwar programme included the Dutch-built in Oslofjord (3) 1949. She was followed by three further superb passengers ships, culminating in the Vistafjord (3) of 1973. The highest number of transatlantic passengers carried by the line was 25400, in 1956. Numbers declined thereafter, and the Sagafjord of 1965 was virtually 100% cruise ship.

In the 1960's passenger traffic was largely taken over by aircraft and the company concentrated on cargo work and cruising. Both cargo and cruise services operated a loss in the late 1970s, and both were re-structured. New container ships were built in the 1970's but these made a large loss and were chartered out.  In 1980, the two cruise vessels, Sagafjord and Vistafjord were transferred to a new company Norwegian American Cruises, a joint venture with Leigh Hoegh & Co. The Sagafjord and Vistafjord were then sold to Cunard in 1983/84.

Life after the Transatlantic Liners (1980 - 1995):

In 1981 the East Africa service was sold to Deutsche Afrika Line. By 1983 no ships were owned by NAL and they operated with chartered tonnage until 1986 when they entered the car carrying business and purchased new ships for this trade. They became a partner in the NOSAC (Norwegian Specialised Auto Carriers) car transportation pool from 1987 with Wilh. Wilhelmson. The bulk carrying trade was entered into in 1989 but by by 1993 this activity was disposed of.

Wilh. Wilhelmsen era (1995 - Present):

Wilhelmsen Lines in 1995 acquired the Norwegian America Line giving the company access to a large modern fleet of car carriers.

In July 1999 Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines was formed as the result of a merger of the operating activities of Wallenius Lines of Sweden with Wilh. Wilhelmsen Lines of Norway. Both are well established family-owned transportation companies known throughout the world for their reliability, quality, innovation and personal service.

In December 2005, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines officially changed its name to Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics. The name change reflects the company's expanded service offering, following the integration of several key logistics operations into its business.

Wallenius Lines was founded in 1934 by Olof Wallenius in Stockholm, Sweden. The company built the world's first automobile-carrying vessel. In the 1960s, it pioneered the RoRo concept and became the first independent shipping line to work with Japan's automobile manufacturing industry. Today, the company's main activities are the ownership and management of vessels. The company is also part owner of a crewing and short-sea shipping company.

Wilh. Wilhelmsen was founded in 1861 by Morten Wilhelm Wilhelmsen in Tonsberg, Norway. Building on its nineteenth century shipping business, the company has evolved into a specialist in RoRo transport. International liner activities comprise its core business, but it is also active in ship agency activities, heavy transport and bunkering and ship management.  

Related Websites:

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics
http://www.2wglobal.com/www/WEP/index.jsp
 
Wilh. Wilhelsen Line
www.ww-group.com
 
Wallenius Lines
www.walleniuslines.com

 


        (c) Cruise Ship History Collection 2018 including www.thecunarders.co.uk                                                                                                                                                                              A Edward Elliott