Many of the transfers between the Blue Funnel and Glen/Shire fleets in the 1970s were made to meet trading needs and/or to comply with Liner Conference rights and tonnage obligations. However, tax efficiency was also a likely reason, particularly when the transfer took place shortly before the sale or scrapping of a particular vessel.
Glen Line was inaugurated in and to serve the trade to Chile. The opening of the Suez Canal in November 1869 led him to enter the China tea trade and build steamships, the first being delivered at Govan in November 1870.
