A consortium of five major European steamship companies join together to meet the high capital investment involved in building and operating an innovative fleet of roll-on/roll-off containerships. This historic union, the first of the container age, results in the creation of Atlantic 4(A4), serving the trade between Europe and East Coast of North America. The Atlantic Span, is the first of A4’s four G-1 (first generation) vessels. These 700 TEU Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) Containerships are the most unique in the world and dramatically change the concept of transportation.

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Five, newly constructed A4 G-3 (third generation) RORO/Containerships, the largest of their kind in the world (2160 TEUs), enter the North Atlantic service. The G-3s are fuel efficient and highly flexible for a wide mix of cargoes. The G-2 vessels are phased out and scrapped.

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A4 Deutchland GmbH became a direct subsidiary of Atlantic Container Line AB. The Oslo Stock Exchange resolved to de-list the company, following a resolution from an extraordinary shareholders meeting. A4 Belgium N.V. was renamed Atlantic Container Line Benelux, N.V., reflecting the new geographical territory covered from the Antwerp office. AIM (Automated Information Messenger), A4’s innovative e-commerce tool, is introduced. A4 begins providing agency services for the Grimaldi Group in the northern UK. A4 purchases the RORO multipurpose vessel, Grande Argentina and time charters it to the Grimaldi Group. The Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement (TACA) receives antitrust clearance from the European Commission after years of litigation. Atlantic Container Line LLC, a U.S. limited liability company (LLC) is formed.