In 1901 the Imperial Direct West India Mail Service Company was formed to run passenger and banana cargo services from the UK to Jamaica. (see Elder Dempster & Co.). Elders & Fyffes Shipping, Limited, was founded in 1902 as a separate company, but only catered for a handful of passengers. In 1910 E&F came under the control of the American United Fruit Company, but retained their own identity. The Imperial Direct Line closed in 1911 and their ships either sold or returned to Elder Dempster & Company, causing E&F to enter the passenger market.

By 1913 United Fruit completely owned E&F and between 1922 and 1926, several European subsidiary companies were set up. United Fruit Company took over Cuyamel Fruit Company, Honduras in 1931 and transferred the three largest ships to E&F service.

In 1933, under Nazi trading laws, it was found necessary to form a German subsidiary company ("Union" Handels, Bremerhaven) and several ships were transferred to this company.

The Surrey Shipping Company, Hamilton, Bermuda, was set up in 1959 to own E&F managed ships and in 1969 the group became known as Fyffes Group, Limited. After several ownership / name changes, the company became Fyffes PLC in 1990 and in 1996 acquired the Geest group. They are still trading.

In turn Geest plc was acquired in 2005 by Bakkavor Group based in Iceland. However the shipping company Geest Line continues in British ownership.

Fyffes plc

www.fyffes.com

Geest Line