American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines
American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines, New York, was the leading 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, until declaring bankruptcy and was acquired by
Farrell Lines, New York.
American Export Lines (I)
Export Steamship Corporation was organized in 1919 and began operating cargo services to the Mediterranean from New York. The word "American" was added in the 1920s to emphasize its ties to the
U.S.. In 1931, they placed in service four cargo-passenger liners, Excalibur, Excambion, Exeter and Exochorda, known as the "
Four Aces". The timing of their new service was unfortunately at the beginning of the depression. The company went through various reorganisations and became the
American Export Lines in 1936. In 1964, it merged with
Isbrandtsen Co. to become the
American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines.
Isbrandtsen Steamship Company
Isbrandtsen Steamship Company was established by Hans Isbrandtsen after the breakup of
ISMOLCO in 1943, his joint venture under "PERMANENT SPECIAL INSTRUCTION ONE" with his cousin A. P. Møller, the shipping magnate who formed the great
Mærsk Line. A. P. Møller went on to found the
Interseas Shipping Co., Inc., the predecessor to the
Moller Steamship Company, an agent for the
Mærsk Line in the United States
¹.
Isbrandtsen Co. traded mainly with the Far East. Hans's son Jakob took over the company in 1953 and bought
American Export Lines in 1960. The purchase was approved by the
US Maritime Administration in 1962. Jakob Isbrandtsen merged
Isbrandtsen Co. with
American Export Lines in 1964 to form
American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines.
American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines
Jakob Isbrandtsen formed the
American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines in 1964 by merging his two shipping companies. This merger ended in 1973.
American Export Lines (II)
American Export Lines (AEL), re-emerged after the dissolution of the
American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines in 1973. After heavy losses and unable to meet crippling debt payments, AEL went into bankruptcy in 1977, with
Farrell Lines buying its remaining ships and port operations in
New York.
Farrell Lines was acquired by
Royal P&O Nedlloyd in
July 2000, in turn, the
Royal P&O Nedlloyd was acquired by
A.P. Moller-Maersk Group in
August 2005. The port operations formerly associated with the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines became part of the
Dubai Ports World controversy in
February 2006.
Their first passenger ships were actually combination passenger-cargo ships, known as "
Four Aces",
Excalibur, Exeter, Excambion and
Exochorda. These ships were first launched in 1931 and with the exception of the
Exochorda, lost during
World War Two as a result of enemy fire. The latter ship was sold to Turkish Maritime Lines and renamed
Tarsus.
*
Containers Marine Lines Isbrandtsen*
Containers Marine Lines*
SS American Victory* SS Argonaut
* SS Atlantic
*
SS Constitution* SS Excalibur (
photo)
*
SS Excambion* SS Exeter
* SS Exochorda
* SS Export Agent
* SS Export Aide
* SS Export Banner
* SS Export Bay
* SS Export Builder
* SS Export Buyer
* SS Export Ambassador
* SS Export Adventurer
* SS Export Courier
* SS Export Commerce
* SS Export Challenger
* SS Export Champion
* SS Export Freedom
* SS Export Leader
* SS Export Patriot
*
SS Flying Enterprise* SS Flying Enterprise II
*
SS Independence*
SS La Guardia* SS Lightning
* SS Resolute
*
NS Savannah* SS Sea Witch (
photo)
* SS Staghound
* SS Vulcania
*
South Street Seaport Museum, where Jakob Isbrandtsen served as its trustee
*
Maritime Matters â€" index of Ocean liners and cruise ships*
Passenger service time tables*
Postcards featuring American Export Lines ships*
Josephine Bay Paul and C. Michael Paul Foundation*
Flags of the Isbrandtsen Steamship Company*
Flags of the American Export Lines*
Flag of the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines*
Passenger service dinnerware*
Detailed history of American Export Lines*
American Export Industries, Inc.
