COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 488310

Port and Harbor Operations

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

14companies1840–1987founding years12still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedThe Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation CompanyFoundedThe Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company
1840
FoundedStinnes AGFoundedStinnes AG
1902
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedSerco Group plcFoundedSerco Group plc
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedThe Mersey Docks and Harbour CompanyFoundedThe Mersey Docks and Harbour Company
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedHutchison Whampoa LimitedFoundedHutchison Whampoa Limited
1977
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
FoundedAssociated British Ports Holdings PlcFoundedAssociated British Ports Holdings Plc
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedEvergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd.FoundedEvergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company →
Defunct · founded 1840 · United Kingdom
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P & O) began as a shipping company.
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company →
Defunct · founded 1840 · United Kingdom
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P & O) began as a shipping company.
Stinnes AG →
Active · founded 1902 · Germany
Following its acquisition in 2002 by rail operator Deutsche Bahn AG, Stinnes AG has been repositioned as the lead…
Stinnes AG →
Active · founded 1902 · Germany
Following its acquisition in 2002 by rail operator Deutsche Bahn AG, Stinnes AG has been repositioned as the lead…
Serco Group plc →
Active · founded 1929 · United Kingdom
Serco Group plc provides facilities management and other engineering services for a variety of governmental and…
Serco Group plc →
Active · founded 1929 · United Kingdom
Serco Group plc provides facilities management and other engineering services for a variety of governmental and…
The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company →
Active · founded 1970 · United Kingdom
The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company is the United Kingdom's second largest port operator, controlling the Port of…
The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company →
Active · founded 1970 · United Kingdom
The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company is the United Kingdom's second largest port operator, controlling the Port of…
Hutchison Whampoa Limited →
Active · founded 1977 · Hong Kong
1960s:Hutchison gains controlling interests in A.S.
Hutchison Whampoa Limited →
Active · founded 1977 · Hong Kong
1960s:Hutchison gains controlling interests in A.S.
Associated British Ports Holdings Plc →
Active · founded 1981 · United Kingdom
Associated British Ports Holdings Plc (ABPH) is the largest operator of seaports in the United Kingdom.
Associated British Ports Holdings Plc →
Active · founded 1981 · United Kingdom
Associated British Ports Holdings Plc (ABPH) is the largest operator of seaports in the United Kingdom.
Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd. →
Active · founded 1987 · Taiwan
With more than 130 owned and long-term chartered ships, Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd.
Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd. →
Active · founded 1987 · Taiwan
With more than 130 owned and long-term chartered ships, Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd.
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