Founded in 1855 by brothers Émile and Isaac Pereire as Compagnie Générale Maritime, renamed CGT in 1861 after receiving a French government contract for postal transport to North America.2 Main route was Le Havre-New York, but also operated to Central America, the West Indies, and the Mediterranean.2 Was a pioneer in adopting technologies: twin propellers (SS Washington, 1868), electric lighting (SS La Normandie, 1882), wireless telegraphy (SS La Provence), turbine propulsion (SS France, 1912), turbo-electric propulsion and hydrodynamic hull (SS Normandie, 1935).2 Operated iconic ships such as SS France (1912, "Versailles of the Atlantic"), the luxurious and record-breaking SS Normandie (1935, holder of the Blue Riband), SS Liberté (ex-German Europa, ceded after WWII), and SS France (1962, the world's longest ocean liner at the time).2 Competed with British lines (Cunard, White Star) and German lines (HAPAG, NDL).5 After World War II, received Liberty ships to replace losses and transported a large volume of cargo for the reconstruction of France.2 The decline of transatlantic passenger transport due to aviation led the company to focus on cargo transport.24 In 1976, merged with Messageries Maritimes to form Compagnie Générale Maritime (CGM).24