Australian National Line


The Australian National Line was an Australian Government owned overseas and coastal shipping line that operated between 1956 and 1998, when the container shipping operations and naming rights were bought by CMA CGM.

Corporate history

The Australian National Line was formed on 1 October 1956 as the Australian Coastal Shipping Commission with the passing of the Australian Coastal Shipping Commission Act. The organisation took around forty ships previously operated by the Australian Shipping Board, which had been formed in 1946 by the Australian Federal Government.
The Australian National Line and its predecessors acquired 20 ships made at the Whyalla shipyards in South Australia prior to 1970. Among them were freighters, colliers and bulk carriers for mineral transport. In June 1964, the largest bulk carrier ever produced in Australia was launched by Ruth Birrell, the daughter of the Chairman of the Australian Coastal Shipping Commission, P. J. Williams.
In 1974 Australian Coastal Shipping Commission was replaced by the Australian Shipping Commission, and in 1989 Australian National Line was established as a wholly owned government company. In 1998 the French company CMA CGM bought the naming rights of ANL Limited from the Australian Federal Government.
The Australian National Line was an early member of the Australian Shipping and Defence Council which was established by the Government of Australia in 1982.

Services

Historical

The company entered the ferry business in 1959, when Tasmanian Steamers announced that it would be withdrawing from the Bass Strait. Its ship the Taroona was becoming totally inadequate, only being able to carry 30 cars, which had to be lifted aboard. As no replacement was available, the Federal Government decided that the Australian National Line should take over, and it would be provided with a subsidy with an order placed with the State Dockyard, Newcastle. The new ship was named Princess of Tasmania, was the first roll on/roll off ferry in the southern hemisphere and the largest. She entered the Melbourne – Devonport route on 23 September 1959. The new ship and route were such a success for the ANL ordered a cargo only ship, to be named Bass Trader.
With the passenger numbers going so well on the Princess of Tasmania and cargo going very well also, ANL decided that a regular passenger service from Sydney to Hobart should be re-established. An order was placed with Cockatoo Docks & Engineering Company. The new ship was christened Empress of Australia on 18 January 1964. Empress of Australia made her maiden voyage from Sydney to Hobart on 16 January 1965. The Empress of Australia operated from Sydney to Hobart and Sydney to Bell Bay/Burnie and back.
With the Princess of Tasmania going so well out of Melbourne, there needed to be more capacity on the route, so ANL ordered a new ship to be built at the State Dockyard. The new ship would be bigger, with smaller passenger capacity but more cargo space, an early example of the Ro/Pax concept. The new ship was launched on 17 February 1969 as the Australian Trader. On 24 June 1969, Australian Trader set out on her maiden voyage to Devonport. The new ship operated a rotation between Bell Bay, Devonport and Burnie.
On 27 June 1972 Princess of Tasmania left Devonport for the final time. ANL sold her to Bahamarine Ltd, Nassau and she left Australia on 7 October 1972. When the Princess of Tasmania left the route the Australian Trader swapped with her, and Empress of Australia replaced the Princess of Tasmania on the Melbourne - Devonport trade.
ANL were involved in the 1975 Tasman Bridge disaster in Hobart, Tasmania, as the owner/operator of the Lake Illawarra, the bulk carrier which collided with the bridge, and consequently sank.
ANL announced that Australian Trader would be withdrawn from service, being replaced by a new freight only ship named Bass Trader.
On the final arrival of the Australian Trader in Bell Bay the crew went on strike. The ship remained idle there for two months. Finally on 24 September 1976 they gave up and she sailed to Sydney, laid-up and was offered for sale. The sale was completed on 16 January 1977 to the Royal Australian Navy as a training ship.
In 1983 the Tasmanian government were seeking from the Federal Government funds to charter a supplementary ship, being either Scotia Prince, St Patrick II, Stena Baltica or Odysseus Elytis. This was rejected.
In 1984 ANL announced that it would not be continuing in the ferry business, and the Empress of Australia would be withdrawn in 1985 and sold. This was then put into the hands of the Tasmanian Government which subsequently formed the TT-Line with the Federal Government agreeing to buy a ship.

Current

The ceasing of the ANL's involvement in the passenger trade allowed them to concentrate solely on bulk freight and cargo. In 1998 the French company CMA CGM bought ANL's container shipping business and trading name from the Federal Government.
CMA CGM operate over 350 vessels on all of the world's major shipping lanes. As part of CMA CGM, the shipping company is now a part of the world's third largest container shipping operator. ANL now employs over 450 staff globally and moves roughly 900,000 cargo containers per year..
Commercially, ANL still operates the more traditional north–south directional trades, plus nearly 20 relatively new east–west directional trades riding on the services of its parent - CMA CGM.
In line with its parent company, ANL has a major focus on the environment for its vessels, containers and office operations.

Fleet summary

This is a list of ships owned or operated by ANL between its formation in 1956 and privatisation in 1998.
NameTypeEntered ANL serviceLeft ANL serviceDispositionFate
MV BaralgaGeneral cargoSold to Nilmore LtdBroken up 1980
SS BilkurraGeneral cargoSold to Malaysian International ShippingBroken up 1974
SS BinburraGeneral cargoSold to Malaysian International ShippingBroken up 1974
MV BoonarooGeneral cargoSold to Collin Navigation CoBroken up 1985
MV BulwarraGeneral cargoSold to Collin Navigation CoRan aground off Keelung and broke apart on 22 October 1971, total loss
SS DalbyGeneral cargoSold to Cronulla Cia Nav SARan aground off Keelung on 14 November 1971, abandoned as total loss
SS DandenongGeneral cargoSold to Jones Brothers Coal Pty LtdBroken up 1971
SS DaylesfordGeneral cargoSold to Fung Shing Navigation Co LtdBroken up 1972
SS DelungraGeneral cargoSold to H & S Credits Pty LtdBroken up 1974
SS DenmanGeneral cargoSold to Eddie Steamships IncBroken up 1970
SS DubboGeneral cargoSold to Australia Pacific Co LtdBroken up 1969
MV EdenhopeGeneral cargoSold to Bougainville Trading Co LtdBroken up 1979
MV ElmoreGeneral cargoSold to John Burke LtdBroken up 1987
MV EnfieldGeneral cargoSold to Legaspi Oil Co IncDeregistered 2008 in Manilla, Philippines. Still afloat.
MV EugowraGeneral cargoSold to Pacific Islands Shipping Co Pty LtdBroken up 1974
MV EuroaGeneral cargoSold to Keith Hollands Shipping Co Pty LtdBroken up 1980
MV InyulaBulk carrierSold to Octamaris Maritime CorporationSank in the Black Sea December 1977 in bad weather
MV Lake BarrineBulk carrierSold to Drillships LtdBroken up 1982
SS Lake EyreBulk carrierSold to Century Shipping Lines LtdBroken up 1975
MV NilpinaGeneral cargoSold to Simanggang Sawmill Co Pty LtdSank off Little Andaman Island on 22 June 1985.
MV NoongahGeneral cargo25 August 1969-Sank off Smoky Cape in heavy seas with the loss of 21 crew
MV RansdorpTankerSold to Dent & GrahamSank in the Tasman Sea on 18 March 1961
SS River BurdekinGeneral cargoSold to Indonesian governmentBroken up 1971
SS River BurnettGeneral cargoSold to Australine Shipping Co IncBroken up 1973
SS River ClarenceGeneral cargoSold to World-Wide SS Co LtdBroken up 1968
MV River DerwentGeneral cargoInterstate Steamships Pty LtdRan aground during Typhoon Wanda, refloated and scrapped 1962.
MV River FitzroyGeneral cargoSold to Amakasu Sangyo Kisen K KBroken up March 1963
MV River GlenelgGeneral cargoSold to Hang Fung Shipping & Trading Co LtdBroken up January 1963
MV River HunterGeneral cargoSold to Albert Sims LtdBroken up 1960
MV River LoddonGeneral cargoSold to Amakasu Sangyo Kisen K KBroken up March 1963
MV River MittaGeneral cargoSold to Hang Fung Shipping & Trading Co LtdBroken up 1959
MV River MurchisonGeneral cargoSold to Amakasu Sangyo Kisen K KBroken up March 1963
MV River MurrayGeneral cargoSold to Albert Sims LtdBroken up 1959
MV River MurrumbidgeeGeneral cargoSold to Amakasu Sangyo Kisen K KBroken up March 1963
MV River NormanGeneral cargoSold to Wallem & CoRan aground during Typhoon Wanda, refloated and scrapped 1962.
MV TalingaBulk carrierSold to Elios Compania Navigation SARan aground during Typhoon Rose, refloated and scrapped 1972.
MV TimbarraBulk carrierSold to Montauk Maritime LtdBroken up 1973
SS TyallaBulk carrierSold to Cambray Prince Steamship Co LtdFormerly repair ship HMS Dullisk Cove. Broken up 1962
MV WangaraGeneral cargoSold to Western Australian Coastal Shipping CommissionComveryed to a barge 1983
MV WindarraGeneral cargoSold to Collin Navigation CoBroken up 1980
MV YanderraBulk carrierSold to Collin Navigation CoBroken up 1976
MV YarrungaBulk carrierSold to Corona Navigation Co SASank in the Persian Gulf 4 May 1975 after cargo caught fire
MV IrandaBulk carrierSold to Jollyboat SABroken up 1982
MV North EskGeneral cargoSold to West Pacific Shipping Pty LtdBroken up 1984
MV Lake BogaBulk carrier29 March 1978Sold to International Activity Shipping & Investment Co SABroken up 1984
MV Lake BogaBulk carrierSold to Tien Tai Shipping Co SABroken up May 1978
MV IllowraBulk carrierSold to Athenmar Shipping Co LtdBroken up 1982
MV Lake IllawarraBulk carrier5 January 1975-Sank after colliding with the Tasman Bridge
MV Lake ColacGeneral cargoSold to Maliac Shipping CorporationBroken up 1979
MV Lake MacquarieBulk carrierSold to Project and Services Pty LtdBroken up 1982
MV South EskGeneral cargoSold to Eastern Shipping Lines IncSank in the South China Sea on 16 February 1980
MV Lake MacquarieBulk carrierSold to Bluewater Bay Maritime IncBroken up 1981
MS Princess of TasmaniaPassenger and roll-on/roll-offSold to Bahamarine LtdBroken up 2005
MV Mount KeiraOre carrierSold to Agile Shipping Co SABroken up 1983
MV Mount KemblaOre carrierSold to Drillships LtdBroken up 1988
MV Bass Trader Roll-on/roll-offSold to Halley Enterprise Shipping IncBroken up 1984
MV MerinoGeneral cargoSold to Carpentaria Holdings Pty LtdScuttled in the Arafura Sea on 17 December 1986
MV JeparitGeneral and bulk cargoSold to Massis Charity Shipping CoBroken up 1993
MV Musgrave RangeOre carrierSold to Zea Shipping CoBroken up 1983
MS Empress of AustraliaPassenger and roll-on/roll-offSold to Sun Cruises MaritimeSank in the Strait of Malacca on 23 August 1992
SS Darling RiverBulk carrierSold to Malcome Collins Pty LtdBroken up June 1979
MV Australian Trader Passenger and roll-on/roll-offSold to the Royal Australian NavyBroken up 2004
MV Australian Enterprise Container and roll-on/roll-off1 January 1986-Broken up 1986
MV Australian Endeavour Container1 June 1985-Broken up 1985
MV Brisbane TraderContainer and roll-on/roll-off10 December 1986Sold to Mastrogiorgis Shipping Co LtdBroken up 2010
MV Sydney TraderContainer and roll-on/roll-off-Broken up 1984
MV TolgaBulk carrier Returned to Arctic Shipping Co LtdBroken up 1994
SS Yarra RiverBulk carrier-Broken up 1982
MV Townsville TraderContainer and roll-on/roll-off-Broken up 1984
MV Darwin TraderContainer and bulk carrier-Still in service
MV EchucaContainerSold to Wan Hai Steamship Co IncStill in service
MV AllungaContainer and roll-on/roll-off-Broken up 1986
MV Mount NewmanBulk carrier Returned to Pacific Maritime Services LtdBroken up 1996
MV Alnwick CastleBulk carrier Returned to Ben LineBroken up 1996
MV Tambo RiverBulk carrier Returned to Northern Bulk Carriers LtdBroken up 1998
MSC Australian ExporterContainer Returned to Mediterranean Shipping Co SABroken up 1999
MV Lysaght EndeavourRoll-on/roll-off10 June 1987-Broken up 1987
MV Lysaght EnterpriseRoll-on/roll-off-Broken up February 1987
MV Australian EmblemContainer and roll-on/roll-off 17 April 1988Returned to Kawasaki Heavy IndustriesBroken up 1997
MV Melbourne TraderRoll-on/roll-offSold to Bulk Enterprise LtdStill in service
MSC Australian ExplorerContainer-Broken up 1986
MV Stirling RangeBulk carrierSold to Antigoni Shipping Co LtdSunk 21 November 1983 in the Iran–Iraq War
MV Australian EscortContainer and roll-on/roll-off-Renamed Anro Melbourne
MV Bass Trader Roll-on/roll-offSold to Strintzis LinesStill in service
MV Australian PioneerBulk carrierSold to Shanghai Ocean Shipping CoStill in service
MV Australian ProspectorBulk carrierSold to Trikappa LtdBroken up 1999
MV Australian VentureContainerSold to Lavicer Investments CorpBroken up 2006
MV Anro AustraliaContainerSold to Ruby Enterprises IncBroken up June 1997
MV Flinders RangeBulk carrier2 January 1987Sold to China Shipping GroupStill in service
MV Australian PurposeBulk carrierSold to Lavicer Investments CorpBroken up 2006
MV Lake BarrineBulk carrierSold to Societe Mo Car SpAStill in service
MV Lake EildonBulk carrierSold to Queensland Lime & CementScrapped 2008
MV Lake EyreBulk carrierSold to Julia Shipping Pty LtdStill in service
MV Lake HumeBulk carrierSold to Clarry Shipping LtdStill in service
MV Australian ProgressBulk carrierSold to Treasure Sea Shipping IncBroken up 2002
MV Selwyn RangeBulk carrierSold to CSL PacificStill in service
MV Cape HawkeBulk carrier Returned to British Phosphate CommissionBroken up 1987
MV Baron MurrayBulk carrier Returned to Otway Shipping Co LtdBroken up 2003
MV Cape OtwayBulk carrier Returned to British Phosphate CommissionBroken up 2008
MV River BoyneOre carrier--Still in service
MV River EmbleyOre carrier--Still in service
MV River YarraOre carrierSold to Canada Steamship LinesStill in service
MV Australian Trader Container1 February 198519 January 1997Sold to Hub LineStill in service
MV Australian AdvanceContainer Returned to United Arab Shipping CoStill in service
MV Tranztas TraderGeneral cargoSold to Littleton Services IncSank off Vietnam on 16 December 2010
MV Anro MelbourneContainer and roll-on/roll-offSold to Plixia Trading LtdBroken up 1998
MV Australian SearoadRoll-on/roll-offReturned to Pacific Intercontinental Co LtdStill in service
MV Australian ExpressGeneral cargo6 September 1989 3 February 1990Returned to Nanyuan ShippingStill in service
MV Australian Endeavour Container--Still in service as ANL Australia
MV Australian EnduranceContainerSold to Koala Shipping IncStill in service
MV Australian Enterprise Container--Still in service as ANL Explorer