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Straits Steamship Company Ltd. |
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Founded: |
January 1890 |
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Ceased: |
1983 |
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Updated: 8 Feb. 2007
Notes:
Founded January 1890. [M04p216-7]
Their steamers traded mainly between the ports of the Colony and the Malay Peninsula. [M04p216-7]
By 1921 their service extended to Bangkok, British North Borneo and Southern Philippines. [M04p216-7]
In 1973, Straits Steamship diversified into other areas such as property, leisure and transportation.
In 1983 the Keppel Group of Singapore acquired Ocean Transport and Tradings which held a majority share holding in the Straits Steamship Company. Property development became the its main business and consequently it was renamed Straits Steamship Land in 1989. However, the ship operating part was spun off and renamed Steamers Maritime Holdings Ltd.
In 1997 Straits Steamship Land became Keppel Land and Steamers Maritime became Keppel Telecommunications and Transportation - Shipping Division.
Formed January 1890 with headquarters at No. 1, Robinson Quay; T. C. Bogaardt was first Chairman. The original fleet was the Sappho, Malacca and Billiton. Management was taken over in 1892 by W. Masnfield and CO., and MR. Boaardt turned over his active interest to General Manager C. W. Laird. In 1900 the fleet included the Sappho, Malacca, HyeLeong, Neera, Ban Whatt Hin, Lady Weld, and Lady Mitchell. Just prior to 1900 the Tan Kim Kian Steamship Co., Ltd., was formed, its fleet consisting of the Giang Ann, Penang, Giang Seng, Zweena, and Flevo. The two fleets were separated by 1905; later Straits Steamship Co. ships included the Selangor, Bentong, Perak, Ipoh and Kinta; by 1920 22 units were included and the service offered ran as far as Bangkok, British North Borneo, and the Philippines. [Additional information from John Wilson 20 November 2006. [M04]]
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