Compagnie Maritime Belge (Shipping company, Belgium)

Last modified: 2005-07-23 by ivan sache
Keywords: compagnie maritime belge | lozenge (white) | cross (red) | crown: belgium | compagnie belge maritime du congo |
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by James Dignan

• Presentation of Compagnie Maritime Belge
• House flag of Compagnie Maritime Belge
• Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo

See also:

• Belgium
• Belgium: House flags of shipping companies

Presentation of Compagnie Maritime Belge

The origin of Compagnie Maritime Belge (Belgische Scheepvaartmaatschappij), in short CMB, initially called Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo (CBMC), dates back to 1895. At the instance of King of the Belgians Leopold II, British interests established CBMC in order to provide a regular shipping service to Congo. On 6 February 1895 the passenger liner Léopoldville (I) was the first ship to leave Antwerp under Belgian flag. Belgian shareholders headed by Banque d'Outremer, later absorbed by Société Générale de Belgique, took control in 1911. Until 1930, activities were limited to a shipping service to Congo, carrying passengers, cargo and mail.

In 1930 CBMC absorbed the Belgian shipowner Lloyd Royal Belge. The company name was changed into CMB (LR) and the first additional lines to North and S