John T. Essberger GMBH & Co Kg

the history of the privately owned deutsche afrika-linien/john t. essberger group of companies dates back to the year 1924 when the former imperial navy officer, commander john theodor essberger (1886-1959), established himself as a tanker shipowner in hamburg/germany. today the company, which has meanwhile become highly diversified, is managed in the third generation by the essberger/von rantzau family. the company headquarters are based on palmaille 45-49 in hamburg-altona overlooking the river elbe. the ensemble of buildings, a classical 18th century palais accompanied by contemporary steel and glas architecture, reflects both historical and modern views.today the company consists of the shipping lines deutsche africa-linien, the traditional liner services to southern africa, as well as the dal service to east africa and the islands of the indian ocean, wal west-afrika linien-dienste serving the west african ports and the groupõs tramp shipping activities pooled in tol transocean li