British Railways: Shipping and International Services Division (Sealink): Records

AN 137

1918-1987

This series contains circulars, policy files, Board and committee papers and reports of the Shipping and International Services Division (Sealink).

For London Midland Region marine records see AN 39

For Railway Executive shipping services papers see AN 83

For Southern Region marine records see AN 44

Public Record(s)

English

119 files, papers and volumes

Subject to 30 year closure

1996-2004 British Railways Board

No further accruals expected

After the nationalisation of the railways in January 1948, the shipping services of the former railway companies were operated on a regional basis, each region having its Marine Superintendent, all being overseen by the Chief Officer (Marine) of the Railway Executive. The post of Chief Officer (Marine) was transferred to the office of the British Transport Commission's Traffic Advisor on the demise of the Railway Executive.

The Shipping and International Services Department was established at the British Transport Commission in January 1957 but the regions were still responsible for the operation of shipping. The Department survived the ending of the commission in December 1962 and became part of the British Railways Board's organisation with a general manager and support staff reporting to a board member. The regions' responsibilities were not altered by this reorganisation.

The regions finally lost the control of shipping on 1st January 1968 when the Shipping and International Services Division was formed. The division was responsible for all British Railways' shipping services, railway owned ports and the development of traffic and liaison with continental and Irish railway administrations. It had its own committee which was chaired by a board member. The division's organisation was established on the basis of a report by McKinsey and Company Inc, being approved by the British Railways Board in July 1968 and formally implemented on 1st August of that year. The full transfer of staff to the division was completed on 11th August 1969.

On 1st January 1979 the division ceased to exist and its function, assets and staff were transferred to a new company wholly owned by the Board named Sealink UK Ltd. The trade name of Sealink had been used for British Railways' marine services, along with the shipping services of the continental railways organisations since January 1970.

Sealink UK Ltd was sold to Sea Containers Ltd on July 1984.