Messageries Maritimes [Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes]

1871 - 1977

BiographyThe company was created in 1851 operating under the name Messageries Nationales, then Messageries Impériales, and finally in 1871 the Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes. The Messageries Maritimes stopped it's passenger service in 1972, but continued with freight till 1976. In February 1977 Messageries Maritimes merged with CGT to become the Compagnie Générale Maritime (CGM).

In 1835 the French Government created a state-owned steamship service between Marseilles and the Levant. This continued until 1851 when it was transferred to the management of Messageries Nationales (the state operated road communication concern). The shipping side of the business was split from the road activities in 1852 under the name Compagnie des Services Maritimes des Messageries Nationales. With the return of the French monarchy in 1853 this became Compagnie des Services Maritimes Imperiales and the company expanded dramatically over the next few years and by 1857 owned 57 ships.

After the Franco-Prussian War and the abolition of the monarchy in 1871, the company became Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, usually shortened to MM. In 1904 the fleets of Compagnie Francaise de l'Est Asiatique and Compagnie Nationale de Navigation were taken over. The second world war decimated the fleet which had been split between the Allies and Vichy France and by 1945, only 21 ships were left. However the fleet was rebuilt, but the independence of French colonies and the advent of air travel caused the whole passenger fleet to be disposed of between 1969 and 1972.

In 1977 MM and CGT (French Line) were amalgamated under the title Compagnie Generale Maritime and by 1981 the name MM disappeared from Lloyds Register.

Person TypeInstitution