Shells founder Marcus Samuel and his brother Samuel run a thriving family trading business in the East End of London, trading in Far Eastern goods, including ornamental jewel boxes studded with seashells.

Marcus Samuel diversifies the family business and starts to sell kerosene for lamps.

The “Murex” built by William Gray & Co of Hartlepool, for Marcus Samuel is launched 1892, becoming the first laden tanker to transit the Suez Canal.

Shell Shipping and Trading Company Ltd is formed. With business prospering, the fleet grows to 21 ships and the company taking its name from the original family business.

The AA organise a trial rally of motor cars. Marcus Samuels spots a new market for Shipping Petrol.

The Royal Dutch, Shell Transport and Rothschilds, merge their marketing interests, forming the Asiatic Petroleum Company.

The Shell Transport and Trading company and the Royal Dutch Company amalgamate, and the Royal Dutch/Shell Group is formed. However, each company retains its separate identity.

Shell join forces with Anglo-Saxon Petroleum and design the “Vulcanus” - the world's first ocean-going motor ship heralding a new age for diesel engine propulsion.

During the First World War, Shell was the main supplier of fuel to the British Expeditionary Force. It was also the sole supplier of aviation fuel and supplied 80 percent of the British Army's TNT. It also volunteered all of its shipping to the British Admiralty.

1915 Shell supplies fuel to Sir Earnest Shackleton's infamous Antarctic Expeditions.

The Royal Dutch/Shell Group acquires a minority stake in The Canadian Eagle Oil and Shipping Company.

“Agnita”, the world's first purpose-built LPG carrier is launched. She is designed to carry three different types of cargo - gas oil, sulphuric acid & LPG.

The tanker “Auris” is launched as the first merchant ship to be powered by a gas turbine.

Shell designs the “Triple-Twelves” (12,000 tons of cargo at 12 knots, consuming 12 tons of fuel per day). Shell's VESSEL design was adopted as the standard tanker for the government's massive building programme.

Shell's Marine Department lead planning on converting seven British and two Dutch Triple Twelves to Merchant Aircraft Carriers, which helped win the Battle of the Atlantic.

At the end of World War II, the “Shell” emblem is added to the funnel and a programme to replace lost tonnage was started.

“Auricula” becomes the first motor ship to operate its diesel engines on heavy fuel oil.

Built at Wallsend-on-Tyne, the world's first “Super Tanker”; a steam driven ship of 28,000 DWT called the “Velutina” is constructed.

The Group acquires the complete assets and business of the Canadian Eagle Oil Company unifying Eagle and Shell Ships under one Flag.

In 1964 the world's first commercial LNG Carriers “Methane Princess” and “Methane Progress” are built and Shell becomes a world leader in the maritime transportation of liquefied natural gas.

The beginning of a long and successful partnership with Brunei LNG project is marked by the delivery of the “Gadinia”, the first of seven G class LNG Carriers.

The closure of the Suez Canal triggered a demand for bigger ships. The third Shell “Murex” is a 200,000 ton Very Large Crude Carrier “VLCC”. Sizes continued to increase, culminating in the world's first 500,000 ton tanker, Shell's “Batillus” in 1976.

1975 “Opalia” is converted to a cadet training ship and takes part in the Spithead Review in 1977 by HM Queen Elizabeth to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of her Coronation.

The first Floating Production Storage and Offtake facility, the “Shell Castellon” is deployed in the Mediterranean.

The product tanker “Eburna” sails with the British Task force to liberate the Falkland Islands.

The Northwest Shelf project is the first LNG project in Australia. The LNG fleet construction and operations have been actively supported by Shell Shipping and Maritime since the first vessel Northwest Sanderling entered service in 1989.

Shell Tankers UK adopt a new livery / house flag and is still used today.

The collaboration with Nigeria LNG begins with the re-activation of the “LNG Bonny”, “LNG Finima”, “LNG Lagos”, “LNG Port Harcourt” in preparation for the commencement of the plant start-up in 1996.

The British, Dutch, French and German fleets merge into one fleet in 1996.

The partnership with NAKILAT sees Shell Shipping and Maritime taking delivery of 25 of the largest LNG carriers ever built began commencing with the “Mozah” in 2008.

The Prelude FLNG is delivered and is the largest floating structure ever constructed. Shipping and Maritime supported the hull and utilities design and construction.

Shell introduces the LNG Bunker Vessel “Cardissa” into the fleet, continuing Shipping's legacy of innovation.

2018 sees the delivery of the 5th “Murex” as part of a new generation of LNG carriers, 126 years after the first “Murex” in 1892.

Shell Shipping and Maritime, with its partners in the HySTRA project, begin operation of the world's first liquid hydrogen carrier called the “Suiso Frontier”.

Shell and its partners in the H2Sines.RDam project aim to transport liquid hydrogen in bulk between Portugal and the Netherlands.

Building on our rich Maritime heritage Shipping and Maritime continues to support Shell Businesses in delivering more and cleaner energy to our customers.