New Zealand Shipping Company
| Industry | Transport |
|---|---|
| Successor | P&O |
| Founded | 1873 |
| Defunct | 1973 |
| Products | Passenger and Cargo Shipping |
The New Zealand Shipping Company (NZSC) was a shipping company whose ships ran passenger and cargo services between Great Britain and New Zealand between 1873 and 1973.
A group of Christchurch businessmen, including Hugh Murray-Aynsley and John Coster, founded the company in 1873. The company gradually established a fleet of vessels, using Māori names for each. From 1875 the livery consisted of black hulls, white superstructure and yellow funnels.
In 1882, the company's ships were equipped with refrigeration. and a frozen meat service began from New Zealand to England.
Company policy dictated a stop at Pitcairn Islands, in the Pacific, to break the monotony of the ocean crossing.
In 1912, an agreement was reached whereby the Federal Steam Navigation Company was absorbed into the New Zealand Shipping Company, but the Federal Steam Navigation ships would retain their distinctive house flag, and continue to be named after English counties, thereby retaining their individual identities. The Federal Steam Navigation Company was registered in England for tax purposes, whereas the New Zealand Shipping Company continued to be registered in New Zealand.
During the First World War, nine ships were lost from a fleet of 32. During the Second World War 19 ships were lost from a fleet of 36.
The services of both companies were absorbed into the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) in 1973.
NZSC operated a number of ships, some purpose built, others acquired from other operators by purchase, lease or charter.
During World War II, Rangitata operated as a troopship, returning to civilian service by 1949.
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