The beginnings of Isaac Line Ltd can be seen when M Isaac & Co was founded in 1829 in London. In 1933 The Leith Hull & Hamburg Steam Packet Co Ltd acquired the Isaac Line Ltd , resulting in the entry of the company into Portuguese, Western and Central Mediterranean trades. By 1940 , all regular sailings were suspended and so the name Leith, Hull & Hamburgh Steam packet Co was no longer appropriate. The company name was changed to Currie Line Ltd . In 1969 Walter Runciman & Co Ltd ( now controlled by Anchor Line Ship Manangement Ltd) acquired Currie Line Ltd and launched themselves into the bulk carrier trade. In 1976 the Anchor Line Ltd structure was recast and had five operating divisions - Anchor Line Eastern Services Ltd (concerned with Eastern commercial activities); Anchor Line Ship Management Ltd (handling the bulk carriers and any managed vessels); Currie Line Ltd ( concerned with European services, mainly with chartered tonnage, warehousing and road haulage); George Gibson & Co Ltd (concerned with the gas tanker fleet); Runciman Shipping Ltd (dealing with the administration). Anchor Line Eastern Services Ltd, Anchor Line Ship Management Ltd and George Gibson & Co were all active in 2005.
From the guide to the Records of Isaac Line Ltd, shipping company, London, England, c.1700-1937, (Glasgow University Archives Service)
