J. LAURITZEN A/S.

L15 — *image by Ivan Sache, 16 November 2002*

L63 — *image by Phil Nelson, 24 June 2000*

L486 — *image by James Dignan, 9 October 2003*

L487 — *image contributed by Jan Mertens, 24 January 2008*

Motor vessels were placed in Ocean in 1938. That year Lauritzen established a New York headquarters for inter-American trade; a trusted employee arrived in September 1939 to cooperate with the long-standing agents Wessel, Duval and prepare to control ships cut off from Copenhagen. On 1 April 1944 Ocean took over Vesterhavet’s remaining vessels except training ships. Ocean became the shipping company and Vesterhavet a holding company, both under Lauritzen’s managing ownership. Many ships had Dan as their second name, others Reefer.

Later operating businesses included Gasnaval, Lauritzen Bulkers, Fleet Management, Kosan, Offshore Services, Reefers, Singapore and Tankers. Fleet Management was formed in 2003, Tankers in 2004 and the Singapore company in 2005.