Our History

Stolt-Nielsen has a long and rich history dating back more than half a century when Jacob Stolt-Nielsen, our chairman today, built from the ground up three companies that led the way in dynamic and emerging industries. He invented the modern parcel tanker, built a leading offshore services company and pioneered the aquaculture industry.

Today the Stolt-Nielsen name is synonymous with innovation, quality, leadership and success

Our key company timeline dates are:

2007

  • Stolt-Nielsen S.A. Wins Amnesty Agreement Case against the DOJ Antitrust Division.
  • Stolt-Nielsen announces voluntary delisting from Nasdaq and termination of its ADR program.
  • Stolt-Nielsen announces the establishment of Stolt-Nielsen Gas to explore opportunities within the Liquefied Petroleum Gas logistics industry.
  • Stolt-Nielsen announces the launch of Stolt Bitumen Services –focused on the delivery of bitumen logistics services.

2006

  • Stolt-Nielsen S.A. sold its 25% ownership in Marine Harvest.
  • Stolt-Nielsen S.A. sold its Southern bluefin tuna business, based in Port Lincoln, Australia to SAMS Holdings (SA) Pty.
  • Stolt-Nielsen S.A. reacquired 75% of the sturgeon and caviar business, Sterling Caviar LLC.
  • Stolt-Nielsen S.A. completed the sale of its 25% shareholding in Marine Harvest N.V. to Geveran Trading Co. Ltd. (which in turn contributed the business to Pan Fish ASA) after the approvals of the transaction from U.K. and French competition authorities.

2005

  • Stolt-Nielsen S.A. sold its ownership in Stolt Offshore S.A.
  • SSF and Nutreco Holding N.V. merged their fish farming operations into the world largest aquaculture company, Marine Harvest. Stolt-Nielsen S.A. owned 25% of  Marine Harvest.

2004

  • Stolt-Nielsen S.A. reduced its ownership in Stolt Offshore to 41.7%.

2003

  • Stolt-Nielsen S.A. sold Optimum Logistics Ltd. to Elemica.

2001

  • Stolt Offshore acquired Paragon Engineering Services Inc.
  • AspenTech acquired interest in Optimum Logistics.
  • PrimeSupplier merged with OneSea.com to form SeaSupplier.
  • SSF acquired Eicosal in Chile.
  • SNTG sold its Perth Amboy, NJ and Chicago terminals.

2000

  • Stolt Comex Seaway is renamed Stolt Offshore.
  • Stolt-Nielsen S.A. established two independent business-to-business e-commerce enterprises:
    • Optimum Logistics Ltd. - the first Internet-based, open logistics system for bulk materials
    • and Prime Supplier Ltd. - an Internet-based total marine procurement system.
  • SSF expands into tuna with the acquisition of Australian Bluefin Pty. Ltd.
  • Jacob Stolt-Nielsen retires as CEO and Niels G. Stolt-Nielsen takes over.

1999

  • Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group Ltd. (SNTG) established to consolidate all the transportation businesses, Stolt Parcel Tankers, Stolt Tank Containers and Stolthaven Terminals.
  • SNTG acquired 50% in Jeong-II Tank Terminal, the largest chemical terminal in the South Korean petrochemical port of Ulsan/Onsan.
  • SSF acquired International Aqua Foods Ltd.
  • SCS acquired ETPM S.A. and invested in flexible pipelay manufacturing with NKT.
  • On its 40th anniversary, Company is now approaching $2 billion in revenue and 10,000 employees.

1998

  • SSF expanded into Scotland with acquisition of Gaelic Seafoods (Scotland) Ltd.
  • Stolthaven Terminals expanded into Asia Pacific with investment in Dovechem Terminals Holdings Ltd.
  • SCS expanded presence in Gulf of Mexico with acquisition of Ceanic.

1996

  • SSF expanded into Asia Pacific with acquisition of Cocoon Ltd.

1993

  • SCS initial public offering on Nasdaq raising $43 million.

1992

  • The Company acquired and merged Stolt-Nielsen Seaway and Comex Services S.A. forming Stolt Comex Seaway S.A. (SCS).
  • The Company achieved over $1 billion in revenues.

1991

  • The Company acquired Sea Farm and renamed it Stolt Sea Farm (SSF).

1988

  • Company went public on Nasdaq raising $51 million.
  • Stolt-Nielsen Inter-European Service (SNIES) established to provide small tanker service in Northwest Europe.
  • Sea Farm commenced a program of acquiring on-growing companies in Norway.

1987

  • BP and the Company terminated 1977 agreement.
  • NYK Line became a more than 10% shareholder.

1986

  • Stolt Through Transportation Services (STTS) was set up to handle customers’ door-to-door transportation.

1983

  • Sea Farm expanded into North America.

1982

  • Stolt Tank Containers (STC) was set up after the purchase of United Tank Containers with 400 units.
  • Stolt-Nielsen Inter-Asia Service (SNIAS) established to provide small tanker service in Southeast Asia.
  • Stolt Tankers Joint Service (STJS) was set up after an agreement with PanOcean-Anco was signed to market their 11 ships.

1980

  • Company earned $100 million profit.

1977

  • Company ran into financial difficulties and BP acquired an option to become a 50% shareholder.

1973

  • Stolt-Nielsen Seaway A/S established to provide services for offshore petroleum and exploration in the North Sea.

1972

  • Sea Farm A/S established in Norway for production of salmon smolt.

1971

  • Company acquired first storage terminal.

1970

  • Seven new double bottom, double skin, partly stainless steel ships ordered, later setting the standards for the parcel tanker market and IMO specifications.

1963

  • Offices in New York, Japan and Oslo established. Company was operating 18 ships and still expanding its fleet with Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific, Great Lakes and Latin American routes established.

1959

  • First operating company formed, Parcel Tankers Inc., with one time-chartered ship, Stolt Avance.