90s: Vessels from China and South Korea

The 90s are determined by expansion. In the beginning of the 90s, two more refeer cargo vessels join the fleet and the first of six containerships (1,000 TEU) is delivered by a polish shipyard. In 1993 and 1994, the fleet expands by a quartet of vessels with a capacity of 3,424 TEU and a smaller containership. All of them are built in South Korea.

In 1995, the shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea delivers two vessels with a capacity of 4,565 TEU. The Danish Shipping Company A.P. Moeller Maersk charters them directly. Two years later, Leonhardt & Blumberg designs a vessel together with naval architects. The ship is built in Guangzhou in China.

80s: New types of vessels

The first full-celled containership is being delivered by the shipyard Vulkan in Bremen. At the end of the 80s, Leonhardt & Blumberg enters the refeer business by ordering two refrigerated cargo vessels. "HANSA BREMEN" and "HANSA VISBY" are handed over in Bremen.

60s and 70s: Expanding the fleet

In the 60s, Leonhardt & Blumberg orders three multi-purpose freighters, which can accommodate containers. In 1976, the fleet is expanding with the delivery of two 392-TEU vessels and two bulk carriers from the Japanese shipyard Ujina.

50s: Rebuilding of the fleet

The allies ease their restrictions on overseas trade. Leonhardt & Blumberg acquires the steam ship "MIGUEL DE LARRINAGA " and renames it "BERND LEONHARDT ". The company is now back in the business of international tramp shipping. In 1951, Leonhardt & Blumberg buys the newbuilding "ADOLF LEONHARDT ". It is, for the moment, the largest vessel in the german fleet.

Seven years later, the vessels "MARIE LEONHARDT" and "AUGUST LEONHARDT" are being delivered. The ship "WALTER LEONHARDT " joins the fleet from the Rickmers-Werft in Bremerhaven. The special feature of the new bulk carriers: They don't have a tween deck anymore.

40s: Consequences of the Second World War

Leonhardt & Blumberg doesn't own any ships. The company loses six ships during the war. The other vessels are handed over to the allies. During this time, the company survives by making business in the field of insurance. Despite the huge setback, Leonhardts sons Hans and Otto succeed in rebuilding the basic business of the company. In 1946, Leonhardt & Blumberg operates a mine carrier named "RHEIN" on behalf of the United States. Three years later, the company buys the vessel for 380,000 German Marks.

30s: The fleet is growing

Leonhardt & Blumberg buys two steam tankers (750 T) from the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey. The two vessels sail under the german flag by the names "LOTTE LEONHARDT" and "KARL LEONHARDT".

10s and 20s: A founder dies, the name remains the same

Prior to the first world war, the vessels "FRIEDA LEONHARDT" (2739 GRT) and "JOHANNA BLUMBERG" (2,380 GRT) are the biggest of the fleet. Leonhardt & Blumberg pays 430,000 and 450,000 Deutsche Mark for them. In 1922, Arthur Blumberg dies. Adolf Leonhardt continues to run the company by himself.

The beginnings

Adolf Leonhardt and Arthur Blumberg found the shipping company Leonhardt & Blumberg in 1903. One year later, the first ship named "ANGELICA ZUM BACH" is being built and delivered to Lübeck. The following years, several ship newbuildings are added to the fleet, being employed in worldwide tramp shipping.