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 The
Interwar Years (1919 - 1945): Following
the First World War, NAL expanded rapidly with new cargo-liners
constructed in
the The
company then expanded and in 1920 owned 12 vessels and by 1923 grew to
become
one of 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 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 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 Related
Websites: http://www.2wglobal.com/www/WEP/index.jsp Wilh. Wilhelsen Line www.ww-group.com Wallenius Lines www.walleniuslines.com |