Company History

The Maersk Company Limited was founded in London in 1951. The most significant events in our history are listed in chronological order below.

1951
On the 22nd March 1951 The Maersk Company Limited was incorporated, in part to enable a representation in the United Kingdom by A.P. Møller, a Danish shipowner. Mr A.P Moller was one of the first Directors to sit on the board of TheMaersk Company Limited.

The Company's first business address was 46 St. Mary Axe, London, where the managing director, Mr. P.D. Proctor, set up business assisted by three members of staff.

The Company's first annual accounts published on the 31st of December 1951 recorded a turnover of 6,433 Pounds 1 Shilling and 1 Penny.


1972
The Maersk Company Limited first became a shipowner in 1972 when the 25,375 DWT bulk carrier Maersk Commander was delivered.


1976
The Maersk Company Limited received its first four supply vessels: Maersk Pacer, Maersk Piper, Maersk Plotter and Maersk Puncher were delivered between June-November 1976.

1979
Maersk Angus, a 101977 DWT crude tanker built at the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group owned Odense Steel Shipyard, Denmark, in 1967, was the first tanker to be owned by The Maersk Company Ltd.

1987
The Maersk Company (Isle of Man) Limited was established.

1988
The Maersk Line Transatlantic service was inaugurated with the "Marchen Maersk".

The Maersk Company Limited's UK haulage and distribution company, originally incorporated in 1980, changed its name to MCC Transport.

1992
The company head office moved to its Canary Wharf offices.

1993
The Maersk Company Limited's first four container vessels were acquired: A series of 1,300 TEU feeder vessels called Tobias Maersk, Thorkil Maersk, Torben Maersk and Trein Maersk.

1995
Pentalver Transport was purchased.

1999
As part of a global acquisition The Maersk Company Limited purchased the UK agency business of Sealand Services Inc. and the shipowning company Chesham Containerships Limited.

Sealand Service Inc. merged with the then Maersk Line to form Maersk Sealand.

As part of a change in corporate structure Safmarine UK Limited, the UK agents for Safmarine Container Lines NV, became part of The Maersk Company Limited.

2000
Mercantile GB Limited became Maersk Logistics UK Limited combining the regional logistics capabilities of both Mercantile GB and Sealand Logistics.

2001
The Maersk Company (Ireland) Limited became the responsibility of the UK organisation.

2004
The Company's annual accounts published on the 31st of December 2004 recorded a turnover of 563,118,000 Pounds for the year 2004.

2005
May 2005, Pentalver Transport Limited purchase Bowmur Haulage Company Limited.
August 2005, Confirmation of acquisition of P & 0 Nedlloyd.

2006
February 2006, the integration of the business activities of P & O Nedlloyd UK Limited and The Maersk Company Limited completed, under The Maersk Company Limited name, trading as Maersk Line and Maersk Logistics.