American South African Line, Inc.
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Farrell Lines, Incorporated is a U.S.-based
shipping company A shipping line or shipping company is a company whose line of business is ownership and operation of ships. Shipping companies provide a method of distinguishing ships by different kinds of cargo: # Bulk cargo is a type of special cargo that is ...
specializing in
roll-on/roll-off Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro) ships are cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, buses, Trailer (vehicle), trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their ...
(RO/RO) cargo transportation. Founded in 1925 as the American South African Line by James A. Farrell Jr. and John J. Farrell, the company initially served trade routes between the United States and South Africa. It was renamed Farrell Lines in 1948 to reflect its expanded operations across Africa and to honor their father, James A. Farrell, Sr., a prominent industrialist and former president of the
United States Steel Corporation The United States Steel Corporation is an American steel company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It maintains production facilities at several additional locations in the U.S. and Central Europe. The company produces and sells steel products, ...
. Over its history, Farrell Lines adapted to significant industry changes, including the transition to containerized cargo and adjustments to financial and operational challenges. After being acquired by
P&O Nedlloyd P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Limited was an Anglo-Dutch worldwide ocean-going Containerization, container shipping line, with dual headquarters in London and Rotterdam. The company was formed in 1997 by the merger of the container-shipping inter ...
in 2000, the company became part of the
A.P. Møller-Maersk Group (), usually known simply as Maersk ( ), is a Danish Freight transport, shipping and logistics company founded in 1904 by Arnold Peter Møller and his father Peter Mærsk Møller. Maersk's business activities include Port operator, port operat ...
in 2005. Under Maersk Line, Limited, the Farrell Lines brand was revitalized in 2010, focusing on RO/RO services primarily in support of U.S. military operations. Today, Farrell Lines operates a fleet of U.S.-flagged vessels in partnership with Höegh Autoliners and Alliance Navigation. It participates in government programs such as the Maritime Security Program (MSP) and the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA), contributing to national defense logistics and maintaining its role in international ocean transportation.


History


American South African Line (1922–1948)


Establishment and Early Operations (1922–1926)

In 1922, the
United States Shipping Board The United States Shipping Board (USSB) was a corporation established as an emergency agency by the 1916 Shipping Act (39 Stat. 729), on September 7, 1916. The United States Shipping Board's task was to increase the number of US ships supporting ...
(USSB) established a
shipping route A sea lane, sea road or shipping lane is a regularly used navigable route for large water vessels (ships) on wide waterways such as oceans and large lakes, and is preferably safe, direct and economic. During the Age of Sail, they were determined b ...
between U.S. Atlantic ports and those in
Southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost region of Africa. No definition is agreed upon, but some groupings include the United Nations geoscheme for Africa, United Nations geoscheme, the intergovernmental Southern African Development Community, and ...
and
Portuguese East Africa Portuguese Mozambique () or Portuguese East Africa () were the common terms by which Mozambique was designated during the period in which it was a Portuguese Empire, Portuguese overseas province. Portuguese Mozambique originally constituted a str ...
to bolster American export and import capabilities and strengthen the nation's presence in
international trade International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories because there is a need or want of goods or services. (See: World economy.) In most countries, such trade represents a significan ...
. This initiative emerged from the post-
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
shipbuilding program led by the USSB’s
Emergency Fleet Corporation The Emergency Fleet Corporation (EFC) was established by the United States Shipping Board, sometimes referred to as the War Shipping Board, on 16 April 1917 pursuant to the Shipping Act (39 Stat. 729) to acquire, maintain, and operate merchant shi ...
(EFC). The EFC, formed during the war to expand the U.S. merchant fleet, continued its shipbuilding efforts even after the November 11th armistice of 1918. The program ultimately produced 2,312 vessels by 1922, making the U.S. merchant fleet one of the largest and most modern in the world. To capitalize on this expanded fleet, Congress passed the
Merchant Marine Act of 1920 The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 is a United States federal statute that provides for the promotion and maintenance of the American merchant marine. Among other purposes, the law regulates maritime commerce in U.S. waters and between U.S. por ...
(commonly referred to as the Jones Act), which restricted
coastwise ''Coastwise'' is a play in three acts by Don Mullally and H. A. Archibald. The work premiered on Broadway at the Provincetown Playhouse on November 30, 1931, where it ran for a total of 37 performances. The play is set in a cabin in Northwestern ...
and intercoastal trade to U.S.- flagged vessels and encouraged the sale of surplus ships to private companies. These actions aligned with the USSB’s goal of privatizing shipping operations and strengthening America’s role in global commerce and national defense. It began with monthly service between New York and Cape Town, fulfilling the USSB's mission to ensure uninterrupted trade. Operations began with five government-owned vessels managed by the EFC. Initially, the vessels were surplus from
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
and tailored for both
cargo In transportation, cargo refers to goods transported by land, water or air, while freight refers to its conveyance. In economics, freight refers to goods transported at a freight rate for commercial gain. The term cargo is also used in cas ...
and limited passenger services. Managing operations was first assigned to C.D. Mallory, Inc. under an
agency agreement An agency agreement is a legal contract creating a fiduciary relationship whereby the first party ("the principal") agrees that the actions of a second party ("the agent") binds the principal to later agreements made by the agent as if the prin ...
. In October 1924, the service received the
trade name A trade name, trading name, or business name is a pseudonym used by companies that do not operate under their registered company name. The term for this type of alternative name is fictitious business name. Registering the fictitious name with ...
"American South African Line" under a USSB resolution dated October 13, 1924, and ratified on October 22, 1924, with managing operations transferred to A. H. Bull & Co. In November 1925, the USSB announced the sale of the American South African Line and its five vessels through a
public auction A government auction or a public auction is an auction held on behalf of a government in which the property to be auctioned is either property owned by the government or property which is sold under the authority of a court of law or a governmen ...
. On December 10, 1925, John M. Franklin, representing the Farrell family and other investors, placed the winning bid of , securing the company and its vessels under the stipulated terms. On December 22, 1925, the USSB authorized the sale to a company yet to be formed under the name of the American South African Line, guaranteeing service between U.S. Atlantic and Gulf ports and South African ports. The American South African Line, Inc. was then incorporated on December 31, 1925, in Albany, New York. The incorporating officers included Luke D. Stapleton, Jr., William F. Curran, James S. Regan, and Arthur W. Morrison from the law firm Baldwin, Barns & Stapleton. The founding stockholders included key figures in shipping, shipbuilding, and trade: John J. Farrell, president of the Argonaut Steamship Line, Inc.; his younger brother James A. Farrell Jr., a recent Yale graduate; Arthur R. Lewis Sr., president of the American and Cuban Steamship Line, Inc. and the Seas Shipping Company; John M. Franklin, general manager for Argonaut Lines; Leigh C. Palmer, former president of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation The Emergency Fleet Corporation (EFC) was established by the United States Shipping Board, sometimes referred to as the War Shipping Board, on 16 April 1917 pursuant to the Shipping Act (39 Stat. 729) to acquire, maintain, and operate merchant shi ...
; Lynn H. Korndorff, president of the
Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company The Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company was a United States shipyard in New Jersey active from 1917 to 1948. It was founded during World War I to build ships for the United States Shipping Board. Unlike many shipyards, it remained active duri ...
; and Eugene P. Thomas, president of the
National Foreign Trade Council Founded in 1914, the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is an American government-funded trade association that advocates for an open, rule-based international trade system. Its stated goal is to serve its hundreds of member companies by provi ...
. Together, these individuals leveraged their expertise to establish a company managing vital trade routes between the United States and Southern and East Africa. James A. Farrell, Jr., the largest stockholder, became its first president.


Expansion and World War II Contributions (1926–1948)

The route faced intense competition from established British lines backed by wealthy parent companies operating on multiple routes. In contrast, the American South African Line was limited to this single service, which operated at a substantial annual deficit. With the line now under private ownership, the government recognized the need to provide
subsidies A subsidy, subvention or government incentive is a type of government expenditure for individuals and households, as well as businesses with the aim of stabilizing the economy. It ensures that individuals and households are viable by having acce ...
to guarantee its viability and ensure continued U.S. representation on the route. By resolution dated May 21, 1926, the USSB recommended to the
United States Postmaster General The United States postmaster general (PMG) is the chief executive officer of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The PMG is responsible for managing and directing the day-to-day operations of the agency. The PMG is selected and appointed by ...
that a mail transportation contract be awarded to the American South African Line under section 24 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. The contract was aimed at sustaining the liner service maintained by the company between New York and ports in the Cape Town-Beira range of British and Portuguese South and East Africa. Compensation was set at for each outgoing voyage, with 12 voyages per year scheduled at approximately four-week intervals. This subsidy not only ensured the viability of the American South African Line, but also aligned with U.S. efforts to maintain a competitive merchant marine and assert economic influence on international trade routes. Following the USSB's recommendation, the Postmaster General entered into the contract with the American South African Line on June 7, 1926. Realizing the potential for direct passenger service, the American South African Line built its first passenger ship, the

in 1929. Designed to accommodate approximately 60 passengers, the ship gained popularity in both the U.S. and South Africa. Its sinking by enemy action in 1942 marked a significant loss for transatlantic travel. In 1935, the company expanded operations by inaugurating the first U.S.-flag service from Gulf ports to South and East Africa. A monthly schedule was maintained until 1938, at which point vessels were redirected to the Atlantic service to meet growing demand. However, the same year, the Robin Line—founded by Arthur R. Lewis Sr. as a subsidiary of the Seas Shipping Company—shifted its focus from intercoastal trade to directly competing with the Farrell-controlled service to African ports. Initially intended to complement the American South African Line, disputes between the Farrell and Lewis families led to distinct operations for the two lines. Robin Line’s entry into the African trade triggered a rate war lasting until 1937, when the
United States Maritime Commission The United States Maritime Commission was an independent executive agency of the U.S. federal government that was created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, which was passed by Congress on June 29, 1936, and was abolished on May 24, 1950. The co ...
(USMC) subsidies temporarily eased tensions. In 1940, the Farrell brothers—John J. Farrell, president of the Argonaut Line, and James A. Farrell Jr., president of the American South African Line—merged their respective companies. Declining intercoastal trade and booming Atlantic freight rates drove the decision, with John J. Farrell becoming chairman of the newly consolidated company while James A. Farrell Jr. remained as president. The merger marked a strategic consolidation of the Farrell family’s shipping ventures. During World War II, the American South African Line, then commonly referred to as Amsaline, and the Robin Line served as berth agents for the
War Shipping Administration The War Shipping Administration (WSA) was a World War II emergency war agency of the US government, tasked to purchase and operate the civilian shipping tonnage the United States needed for fighting the war. Both shipbuilding under the Maritime C ...
in the U.S.-South and East Africa trade. The lines' vessels were requisitioned by the USMC for military use, supporting Allied logistics by transporting troops, equipment, and supplies. Many ships were retrofitted as troop transports or cargo carriers, underscoring the strategic importance of U.S.-flagged vessels. To meet wartime demands, the American South African Line launched an expansion program in 1940–1941, commissioning three passenger ships capable of accommodating 120 passengers each. However, these ships were requisitioned for wartime operations upon completion in 1941, highlighting the merchant marine's critical role in national defense. The constant threat of German
U-boats U-boats are naval submarines operated by Germany, including during the First and Second World Wars. The term is an anglicized form of the German word , a shortening of (), though the German term refers to any submarine. Austro-Hungarian Na ...
in the Atlantic posed significant challenges, resulting in damage to or loss of several vessels. Despite these difficulties, the company's contributions to Allied logistics earned widespread recognition. In 1947, the USMC authorized the American South African Line to purchase all outstanding shares of the Bloomfield Steamship Co., headquartered in Houston, Texas. Prior to this acquisition, the American South African Line held a 20% stake in Bloomfield, representing a cash investment of . The company acquired the remaining shares for . The transaction also involved the transfer of three Bloomfield vessels—the , , and —to the American South African Line. These vessels, later renamed the , , and , were 6,214-gross-ton ships with three decks, built in 1944. This acquisition allowed the American South African Line to expand its fleet and integrate the Gulf-to-South Africa route into its broader operations. Following the war, the company resumed civilian operations under the Farrell name, reflecting its streamlined focus as the sole shipping venture of the Farrell family. This transition culminated in the renaming of the company to Farrell Line in April 1948, signifying its new status as a leading U.S.-flagged shipping line.


Farrell Lines, Incorporated (1948–Present)

On April 1, 1948, the American South African Line, Inc. officially changed its name to Farrell Lines, Incorporated. The decision reflected the company's expanded scope of operations, which now included regular services to ports on the east, west, and south coasts of Africa. The original name, focused solely on South Africa, was deemed no longer descriptive of the comprehensive services provided by the company. The new name was chosen to honor James A. Farrell, Sr., a prominent figure in American industry and shipping. Farrell, who was the father of both James A. Farrell, Jr. and John J. Farrell, had served as chairman of the
United States Steel Corporation The United States Steel Corporation is an American steel company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It maintains production facilities at several additional locations in the U.S. and Central Europe. The company produces and sells steel products, ...
and founded the National Foreign Trade Council, Inc. His foresight and commitment to developing regular freight services to Africa were instrumental in the establishment of the company and in mentoring his sons. In 1965, Farrell Lines expanded its operations by acquiring the Australia-U.S. East Coast service from
United States Lines United States Lines was an organization of the United States Shipping Board's (USSB) Emergency Fleet Corporation (EFC), created to operate German liners seized by the United States in 1917. The ships were owned by the USSB and all finances of t ...
. Around the same time, it ceased passenger services to focus exclusively on cargo transportation. The company continued to grow, transitioning to containerized cargo handling in the 1970s and acquiring additional shipping lines, including the West-Coast Australia Service of the
Pacific Far East Line Pacific Far East Line, also called PFEL in short, was a passenger and cargo shipping line founded in 1943 by Thomas E. Cuffe, in San Francisco, California. At the beginning he started by chartering foreign ships to run the lines in tramp trade. La ...
in 1975. By 1978, Farrell Lines had become the second-largest U.S.-flag merchant fleet, operating 44 ships, including two
container ships A container ship (also called boxship or spelled containership) is a cargo ship that carries all of its load in truck-size intermodal containers, in a technique called containerization. Container ships are a common means of commercial intermodal ...
under construction at
Bath Iron Works Bath Iron Works (BIW) is a major United States shipyard located on the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, founded in 1884 as Bath Iron Works, Limited. Since 1995, Bath Iron Works has been a subsidiary of General Dynamics, one of the world's largest ...
. However, financial difficulties in the 1980s forced the company to reduce its fleet significantly. Farrell Lines dropped its African and European routes, selling 38 of its 44 ships. By 1991, it operated with only four vessels, focusing on routes in the
Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea ( ) is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the east by the Levant in West Asia, on the north by Anatolia in West Asia and Southern ...
and
Persian Gulf The Persian Gulf, sometimes called the Arabian Gulf, is a Mediterranean seas, mediterranean sea in West Asia. The body of water is an extension of the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.Un ...
.


Farrell Lines International

Farrell Lines International Corp., a Liberian
subsidiary A subsidiary, subsidiary company, or daughter company is a company (law), company completely or partially owned or controlled by another company, called the parent company or holding company, which has legal and financial control over the subsidia ...
of Farrell Lines Inc., operated from the 1950s until the outbreak of the
First Liberian Civil War The First Liberian Civil War was the first of Second Liberian Civil War, two civil wars within the West African nation of Liberia which lasted between 1989 and 1997. President Samuel Doe's regime of totalitarianism and widespread Political cor ...
in 1988. Its feeder fleet of four coastal vessels—M/V Kpo, M/V Farmington, M/V Cestos, and M/V Cavalla—provided essential supplies to Firestone Natural Rubber plantations and transported cargo to remote areas via Liberian National Airways. These ships were specifically designed for the challenging conditions of
West African West Africa, also known as Western Africa, is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Ma ...
coastal waters and rivers, contributing to the region's supply chain.


Sale and Revitalization

In 2000, Farrell Lines was acquired by P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Ltd., which was subsequently purchased by the
A.P. Møller-Maersk Group (), usually known simply as Maersk ( ), is a Danish Freight transport, shipping and logistics company founded in 1904 by Arnold Peter Møller and his father Peter Mærsk Møller. Maersk's business activities include Port operator, port operat ...
in 2005. Under Maersk Line, Limited—the U.S. flag operating arm of Maersk—Farrell Lines reemerged as a
roll-on/roll-off Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro) ships are cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, buses, Trailer (vehicle), trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their ...
(RO/RO) carrier. The Farrell Lines brand was revitalized in 2010, and the fleet was increased to four vessels.


Current Operations

The Farrell Lines fleet includes three modern pure car and truck carriers—the , the , and the . These vessels are designed for
roll-on/roll-off Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro) ships are cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, buses, Trailer (vehicle), trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their ...
(RO/RO) and
breakbulk In shipping, break-bulk, breakbulk, or break bulk cargo, also called general cargo, are goods that are stowed on board ships in individually counted units. Traditionally, the large numbers of items are recorded on distinct bills of lading th ...
(B/B) cargo, with adjustable deck configurations to accommodate both commercial and military shipping needs. Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. in
Geoje Geoje (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city located in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is located near Busan. Hanwha Ocean in Okpo and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in Gohyeon are both located on Geoje Island. The cit ...
,
South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...
, all vessels are registered under the U.S. flag to Alliance Navigation LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Höegh Autoliners ASA and classified by
Lloyd's Register Lloyd's Register Group Limited, trading as Lloyd's Register (LR), is a technical and professional services organisation and a maritime classification society, wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a UK charity dedicated to research ...
. The vessels are owned under trust agreements benefiting Höegh Autoliners and are under charter to Maersk Line, Limited, which operates as the vessel-operating common carrier (VOCC). Farrell Lines, as a subsidiary of Maersk Line, Limited, plays a key role in supporting military logistics by handling cargo bookings for military shipments. Farrell Lines primarily operates on routes connecting the
Gulf of Mexico The Gulf of Mexico () is an oceanic basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly surrounded by the North American continent. It is bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States; on the southw ...
and the
U.S. East Coast The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, the Atlantic Coast, and the Atlantic Seaboard, is the region encompassing the coastline where the Eastern United States meets the Atlantic Ocean; it has always played a m ...
with the
Middle East The Middle East (term originally coined in English language) is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. The term came into widespread usage by the United Kingdom and western Eur ...
and
Southwest Asia West Asia (also called Western Asia or Southwest Asia) is the westernmost region of Asia. As defined by most academics, UN bodies and other institutions, the subregion consists of Anatolia, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Mesopotamia, the Armenia ...
. Farrell Lines is an active participant in the
United States Maritime Administration The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) is an Government agency#United States, agency of the United States Department of Transportation. MARAD administers financial programs to develop, promote, and operate the United States Maritime ...
(MARAD) Maritime Security Program (MSP) and the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA), exclusive programs designed to ensure the availability of U.S.-flagged vessels and intermodal resources during times of national emergency or military contingency. Participation in these programs requires stringent qualification criteria and reflects Farrell Lines' strategic importance to U.S. national security and defense logistics. The , built in 2005, has a
gross tonnage Gross tonnage (GT, G.T. or gt) is a nonlinear measure of a ship's overall internal volume. Gross tonnage is different from gross register tonnage. Neither gross tonnage nor gross register tonnage should be confused with measures of mass or weig ...
of 57,280 tons and a
summer Summer or summertime is the hottest and brightest of the four temperate seasons, occurring after spring and before autumn. At or centred on the summer solstice, daylight hours are the longest and darkness hours are the shortest, with day ...
deadweight tonnage Deadweight tonnage (also known as deadweight; abbreviated to DWT, D.W.T., d.w.t., or dwt) or tons deadweight (DWT) is a measure of how much weight a ship can carry. It is the sum of the weights of cargo, fuel, fresh water Fresh water or ...
(DWT) of 21,081 tons. The vessel measures 199.9 meters in length, with a
beam Beam may refer to: Streams of particles or energy *Light beam, or beam of light, a directional projection of light energy **Laser beam *Radio beam *Particle beam, a stream of charged or neutral particles **Charged particle beam, a spatially lo ...
of 32.25 meters and a draught of 9 meters. It was previously named until September 2006 and until February 2008, during which time it sailed under the Norwegian flag. The vessel operates under the
callsign In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign (also known as a call name or call letters—and historically as a call signal—or abbreviated as a call) is a unique identifier for a transmitter station. A call sign can be formally assi ...
WGAE. The , built in 2007, has a gross tonnage of 57,280 tons and a summer DWT of 21,500 tons. It is 199.9 meters in length, with a beam of 32.25 meters and a draught of 8.2 meters. The vessel was formerly named until November 2007, during which time it sailed under the Norwegian flag. The vessel operates under the callsign WGAH. The , built in 2005, has a gross tonnage of 59,705 tons and a summer DWT of 19,670 tons. Like the other vessels, it measures 199.9 meters in length, with a beam of 32.25 meters and a draught of 9 meters. It was initially named until June 2008, during which time it sailed under the Singaporean flag, and then until February 2013, when it sailed under the Norwegian flag. The vessel operates under the callsign WLMQ.


Identity and Branding


House flag

The
house flag A maritime flag, also called a naval flag, is a flag designated for use on ships, boats, and other watercraft. Naval flags are considered important at sea and the rules and regulations for the flying of flags are strictly enforced. The flag flown ...
of Farrell Lines, first adopted as the house flag of the American South African Line, features a white St. Andrew's Cross dividing the field into four sections. The top and bottom triangles are red, while the left and right triangles are blue. This design symbolized the company's maritime identity and continued to represent Farrell Lines following its renaming in 1948. On November 24, 1954, the Treasury Department's Office of the Commissioner of Customs officially registered the house flag and funnel mark of Farrell Lines, Inc., in accordance with section 3.81(a) of the Customs Regulations (19 CFR 3.81(a)). The registered description of the house flag noted its rectangular shape, with the fly measuring 1.5 times the height of the hoist, and its distinctive white St. Andrew's Cross dividing the alternating blue and red field.


Ships' funnel

The funnel mark was also registered, featuring the house flag design on a round buff funnel. The funnel included a black band at its top, extending down a width equal to that of the funnel, with the house flag centered three feet below the black band. *1925 - 1946:
Buff Buff or BUFF may refer to: People * Buff (surname), a list of people * Buff (nickname), a list of people * Johnny Buff, ring name of American world champion boxer John Lisky (1888–1955) * Buff Bagwell, a ring name of American professional wr ...
. *1946 - 2000: Buff with black top, house flag on each side.


Logo

When the company was renamed it adopted a coat of arms as its official logo. The design, rich in maritime symbolism, is
blazoned In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct an accurate image. The verb ''to blazon'' means to create such a description. The visual d ...
as follows: on a square escutcheon, per
saltire A saltire, also called Saint Andrew's Cross or the crux decussata, is a Heraldry, heraldic symbol in the form of a diagonal cross. The word comes from the Middle French , Medieval Latin ("stirrup"). From its use as field sign, the saltire cam ...
argent, azure, and gules; a double engrailed
chief Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the boat ...
argent bearing the square-rigger argent, outlined in azure, to
sinister Sinister commonly refers to: * Evil * Ominous Sinister may also refer to: Left side * Sinister, Latin for the direction "left" * Sinister, in heraldry, is the bearer's true left side (viewers' right side) of an escutcheon or coat of arms; see dex ...
; supported by two seahorses or, respectant, upon a compartment of stylized waves, gules. Over time, the company modernized its visual identity. The current logo features a stylized shield flanked by two seahorses in blue. The shield retains the original colors of the house flag. Below the shield, the company’s name is displayed in bold, uppercase letters.


Containers

Farrell Lines'
reporting mark A reporting mark is a code used to identify owners or lessees of rolling stock and other equipment used on certain rail transport networks. The code typically reflects the name or identifying number of the owner, lessee, or operator of the equip ...
is FRLU. These containers were typically painted white, with the company's coat-of-arms logo displayed in full color on the upper left door. The company name was featured in bold blue lettering, displayed vertically along the sides and near the door. These containers were used for
intermodal transport Intermodal transport (or intermodal transportation) involves the use of more than one mode of transport for a journey. It may refer to: * Intermodal passenger transport * Intermodal freight transport Intermodal freight transport involves the t ...
across ships, rail, and trucks. While the company continues to manage intermodal logistics, it no longer utilizes its own branded containers.


Historical Fleet

* Argonaut Lines **Atlantic ** Charles H. Cramp **Henry S. Grove **Lancaster **Pacific **Sagadahoc * United States Shipping Board (USSB) **Challenger **Glade **Eastern Glen **SS West Cawthon **West Isleta ** West Cheswald **Western Knight *
War Shipping Administration The War Shipping Administration (WSA) was a World War II emergency war agency of the US government, tasked to purchase and operate the civilian shipping tonnage the United States needed for fighting the war. Both shipbuilding under the Maritime C ...
-Owner (ASAL)Operator ** SS Samuel Ashe ** SS Bernard Carter **Chincha **SS Jeremiah M. Daily **SS Minnie M. Fiske **Daniel Morgan ** SS Henry St. George Tucker ** Escanana Victory (USS Regulus (AF-57) ** SS Maritime Victory ** SS George Washington Carver **William Hopper *Farrell Lines Steamship Inc **SS Argonaut **SS Resolute ** African Comet (1) **African Comet (2) **African Dawn **African Dawn (2) ** African Endeavor ** African Enterprise **African Glade **African Glen **African Grove **African Lightning ** African Meteor (1) **African Meteor (2) **African Mercury **African Moon **African Neptune **African Patriot **African Pilgrim **African Pilot ** African Planet (1) **African Planet (2) **African Rainbow **African Star (1) **African Star (2) ** African Sun **Austral Endurance **Austral Energy **Austral Ensign **Austral Entente ** Austral Envoy ** Austral Glen **Austral Lighting **Austral Moon **Austral Patriot **Austral Pilgrim **Austral Pilot **Austral Pioneer **Austral Puritan **Austral Rainbow **Australian Gem **Australian Gulf ** Australian Surf **City of New York **
Highlands Highland is a broad term for areas of higher elevation, such as a mountain range or mountainous plateau. Highland, Highlands, or The Highlands, may also refer to: Places Africa * Highlands, Johannesburg, South Africa * Highlands, Harare, Zimbab ...
**James A. Farrell ** Manderson Victory **Richard Bland ** Soubarissen *Farrell Lines International: **M/V Kpo **M/V Farmington **M/V Cestos **M/V Cavalla *
American Export Lines American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines, New York, was the leading US-flag shipping company between the U.S. east coast and the Mediterranean from 1919 to 1977, offering both cargo ship and passenger ship services, until it declared bankruptcy and was ...
** CV Lightning ** CV Staghound **Defiance **Axport Adventurer **Export Agent **Export Aide **Export Ambassador **Export Banner **Export Bay **Export Builder **Export Buyer **Export Challenger **Export Champion **Export Commerce ** Export Courier **Export Defender **Export Democracy **Export Diplomat **Four Aces **Export Freedom ** Export Leader **Export Patriot **Great Republic **Red Jacket ** Young America *Farrell Lines Incorporated ** Alliance Beaumont ** Alliance Charleston


References

{{United States-flag shipping companies American companies established in 1925 Shipping companies of the United States Maersk