Founded in Hamburg in 1847 by a group of shipowners and merchants (including Adolph Godeffroy, Ferdinand Laeisz, Carl Woermann).5 Initially focused on the Hamburg-New York route, competing with Bremen and British lines.5 Became one of the largest carriers of emigrants from Europe to the USA, especially from Eastern Europe and Russia, in the late 19th century.5 Under the leadership of Albert Ballin (from the 1880s), HAPAG enormously expanded its fleet, transitioned from sail to steam, established regular weekly services, and became the world's largest shipping company by tonnage around 1900.5 Ballin also pioneered the introduction of luxury cruises (e.g., Augusta Victoria's voyage to the Mediterranean and Orient in 1891) and the construction of large and luxurious ocean liners (Deutschland, which won the Blue Riband; the Imperator class: Imperator, Vaterland, Bismarck).5 Built a large passenger terminal in Cuxhaven in 1900.57 Competed intensely with Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL) and British lines, but also cooperated in the North Atlantic Steamship Association.5 Lost almost its entire fleet after World War I (ships confiscated as war reparations, e.g., Imperator became Cunard's Berengaria, Bismarck became White Star's Majestic).57 Rebuilt the fleet in the interwar years. During World War II, again lost ships and had operations interrupted; its Havana office was a center of Nazi activity.57 On September 1, 1970, merged with NDL to form Hapag-Lloyd AG.57