Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Ltd

Descriptive Data

TypeAgencyDate Range1875-30 November 2001DescriptionThe Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Ltd was formed in 1875, with its registered office and head office in Dunedin. The Managing Director was James Mills.

In 1913 it was decided to reconstruct the company, so the original one was wound up and a new one established with the same name. Sir James Mills retired as Managing Director in 1914 but retained his seat on the board and position as Chairman. The Union Steam Ship Company was taken over by The Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) in 1916, although the New Zealand Board and management continued to operate reasonably independently. The New Zealand Shipping Company was also acquired by P&O in 1916 and in 1919 its staff were merged with those of the USSCo. In 1921, the company moved its Head Office to Wellington.

In December 1971, the company returned to 50% New Zealand ownership when it was purchased by Tasman Union Ltd. The other 50% was owned by Australian interests. Tasman Union Ltd was owned by NZ Maritime Holdings and TNT Shipping NZ Ltd, which were New Zealand companies but controlled from Australia. Tasman Union Ltd changed its name to Union Shipping Group Ltd in 1980 and the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Ltd thus became a subsidiary of Union Shipping Group Ltd. At that point Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Ltd had one subsidiary company, Union Steam Ship Company of Australia Pty Ltd. By 1981 it had another, New Zealand Offshore Services Ltd (60% owned), and by 1985 yet another, Union-Bulkships (50% owned). These three remained as subsidiaries until 2001. The Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Ltd moved its head office to Auckland in 1983.

In May 1987, the company was converted from a public to a private company and all operations were transferred to Union Shipping NZ Ltd. The Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Ltd continued to exist as a legal entity until at least 1996.

Related Agencies

Related Agency or OrganisationUnion Shipping Group Ltd

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Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Ltd