House Flags of German Shipping Companies (j)

Deutsche Reedereiflaggen (j)

Last modified: 2019-07-10 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: jahn | jakobs | junge | juengerhans | jaegers | jaluit | jantzen-thormaehlen | jess-poll | j johannsen | jordan | jung(ernst) | juergens(joh) | juergens(k) | jeloh | jens-waller |
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• L. Jahn
• H. W. Jakobs
• Josef Jaegers - Reederei Jaegers
• Jaluit Gesellschaft
• Jantzen and Thormählen
• Jeloh Linien
• Reederei Jens & Waller
• Jess - Poll
• Wilhelm Joerk Jr.
• J. Johannsen
• B. & E. Jordan
• Ernst Jung
• Jüngerhans
• Johannes Jürgens
• Klaus Jürgens

• Michael Jebsen
• J.H. Jensen
• Carl Martin Daniel Jörgensen
• J. Jost
• Frachtkontor Junge

• House Flags of German Shipping Companies
• House Flags of Shipping Companies
• Germany

L. Jahn

The company was based in Memel. The flag was white displaying a blue orbicular cross (cross patty rounded).
Flaggenbuch 1905, part V, p.11, image no.33
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 10 July 2019

H. W. Jakobs

The company was based in Bremerhaven. The flag was a green-red horizontal bicolour with a centred white initial "J".
Flaggenbuch 1905, part V, p.20, image no.487
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 10 July 2019

Josef Jaegers

Found on p. 55 of Flaggen auf dem Rhein (i.e. Flags on the Rhine, Duisburg 1952, 4th ed.), a former Josef Jaegers, Aschaffenburg house flag with company seat identified as Aschaffenburg which is a town on the River Main, to the East of Frankfurt/Main.
The current house flag is described as having "a blue field with three white wavy lines, lowered to fit in a white lozenge bearing a blue stylized initial "J" (...) the lozenge is surrounded by red-white-green lines (starting with red from the inside), not counting the white fimbriation separating them from the blue field".
The only difference with the attached flag image is the presence of two initials "J" - the left one higher than the other - no doubt evoking the founder's name.
As explained on the Jaegers History page, the firm was indeed founded in 1919 by Josef Jaegers being at first a general cargo operation, then - from 1963 on -  a tanker company.  By 1970 Jaegers had become an "associate" of Stinnes. This information seems to indicate that the double "J" must have disappeared in 1970 at the latest.
Jan Mertens, 5 Sep 2007

A small adjustment would seem to be needed with Eugene's image. Jan Mertens states that the flag is the same as the current one for Reederei Jaegers GmbH apart from the number of "J"s. This means that the red and green lines of the diamond are not touching but are separated by white which agrees with my interpretation from my copy of Flaggen auf dem Rhein where the bottom half clearly shows the separation. The top has it mostly touching which I ascribe to the printing. Probably the blue would also be similar. From photos this would seem to be a deep sky shade.
Neale Rosanoski, 4 Aug 2010

Reederei Jaegers

Here is the flag of the important Jaegers Group of companies with Reederei (shipping company) Jaegers GmbH at Duisburg as the core firm. The recently renewed homepage, English version, says it all in one sentence (slightly edited): "Your partner on Europe's waterways from the North Sea to the Black Sea for transports of mineral oil, chemical products, liquid gas and products at a permanent temperature".
In order to keep track of the group?s ramifications (not all firms are German) it is better, I feel, to organize my comments around the various countries instead of sending a sprawling message. As stated on the site, the combined fleet counts at least 180 vessels representing 270.000 metric tonnes capacity.

Jaegers?s history is found on this page (a few highlights follow): Founded by Josef Jaegers at Frankfurt in 1919, starting out as a traditional shipper; 1958-1963 conversion of the fleet into tankers; from 1970 onwards owned by Stinnes but returned to family control in 1995, taking over the Stinnes tankers into the bargain; take control of SRN-Alpina and Beckmann fleets in 2000; Chemgas bought from Vopak in 2003 leading not only to control of CFT-Gaz (French) but also to ocean-going shipping. Jaegers is now inland tanker #1 in Europe.

Shown all over the site ? as a drawing, and on photos - is the characteristic house flag: a blue field with three white wavy lines, lowered to fit in a white lozenge bearing a blue stylized initial "J". Interestingly, the lozenge is surrounded by red-white-green lines (starting with red from the inside), not counting the white fimbriation separating them from the blue field.

Alas, the company did not reply to my request for information so I venture a wild guess: the red-white-green represents North Rhine-Westphalia.
Jan Mertens, 13 Dec 2006

Jaluit Gesellschaft

Jaluit-Gesellschaft - The company used a red flag with white serifed dotted capital letters "J.G." in the centre.
Source: Jürgen Meyer: "Hamburger Segelschiffe von 1795-1945" ;ISBN 3-89225-400-1; Hamburg 1999; cover inside.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 22 Mar 2007

The Jaluit-Gesellschaft (=company) was founded on 21 December 1887, located in Hamburg.
The company aimed to become the main trading company (=Hauptfaktorei) of the archipelago of Jaluit in the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific which was led previously by the Deutsche Handels-und Plantagengesellschaft (German Trading and Plantation Company) and by Robertson & Hersheim (Hamburg). The company also organized the shipping and  trading to the Gilbert-Islands and the Caroline Islands. The basic capital in the beginning was 125,000 Marks. The company spent the costs of administration and therefore gained the right to possess lands without owners to exploit Guano banks and to fish pearls. The administration was led by an imperial Captain of Land (germ.: Landeshauptmann) and German civil servants. In 1892 the company bought also the US-factories in the protectorate. In 1900 the company paid its shareholders a bonus on shares of 12% and earned 151,955 Mark i.e. more than the basic capital.
Source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaluit_Gesellschaft.

Jantzen & Thormählen

The flag is white with a red border all around and black initials in the white part. This time, the initials are quite large, occupying practically all the available space, and are "J&T", with the & smaller than the two main letters..
Jorge Candeias, 2 Jan. 2005

Following the example set by Woermann, their former employees Jantzen and Thormählen became business partners active in Cameroon (firm founded 1875); the combined influence - commercial but inevitably also political - of these firms was so important that Germany was moved to found a colony there.
Sources: This website and this one.
Jan Mertens, 20 Apr 2007

Jeloh Linien

The company was based in Hamburg. The flag was red divided by a blue centred cross, over all a bordure white.
Flaggenbuch 1905, part V, p.16, image no.297
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 10 July 2019

Reederei Jens & Waller

The company is located in Stade. The flag is a yellow over white horizontal bicolour. The colours are those of former Hannover province. In the centre is a diamond horizontally divided into dark blue over light green. In both parts is white handwriting: "J" (above) and "W" (below). For further information click: company homepage
Source: Verband Deutscher Reeder homepage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Jul 2012

Jess - Poll

Reederei Walter Jess (Jess - Poll), Rendsburg - blue flag, white diamond, red "J-P".
Image after Brown's Flags and Funnels Shipping Companies of the World, compiled by J.L. Loughran, Glasgow, 1995 [lgr95]
Jarig Bakker, 23 Nov 2005

Wilhelm Joerk Jr.

The company was located in Hamburg. It is a white flag with two blue chevrons pointing towards the centre from top and bottom edge. In the middle of the flag is a red "W"(hoist) and a red "J"(fly).
Source: "Deutsche Reedereien und ihre Erkennungszeichen" ; 2nd ed.; Hamburg; 1956; p.24
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 Mar 2009

J. Johannsen

J. Johannsen, Lübeck - flag red over white with countercharged triangles over all.
Image after Brown's Flags and Funnels Shipping Companies of the World, compiled by J.L. Loughran, Glasgow, 1995 [lgr95]
Jarig Bakker, 29 Aug 2005

J. Johanssen & Sohn (i.e. Son) is one more German towage firm presented on this Seatowage page, about halfway down: We see a striking house flag, horizontally divided red above white with a large diamond, touching all edges, counterchanged - so the upper stripe contains a white triangle based on its lower edge and the lower stripe, its red mirror.
The following may serve as a presentation of this venerable firm.
Direct link to photo showing tug "Claus" flying that flag (just visible, to the right of the national flag) and - for good measure - showing it on the funnel as well.
Company website, in German (English version not yet available): briefly presenting Johanssen's activities: mooring, towing, and related services such as transporting material and personnel to offshore establishments.  The "Flotte" (i.e. fleet) section offers detailed information on the three tugs operated at present (North Sea, Baltic).
History highlights gratefully lifted from the Historie (i.e. history) section: Founded by Cpt. Joachim Johanssen and son Eduard at Lübeck in 1896, operating harbour barges and tugs. On the death of Joachim (1926), youngest son Otto inherits the firm. In 1936 Johanssen operates 7 tugs and 60 barges. After WW2 steamers are replaced by motorized vessels.
1961: Otto's daughter Jutta leads the firm after his death - introducing towage on the high seas in 1969 -  inheriting from her mother in 1971. On Jutta's death in 1973, her nephew Claus Schäfer takes over business. Continuing modernization of fleet, starting offshore deliveries in 1986 and introducing a maritime oilfield tanker one year later. Fifth generation - Michael Schäfer - at the helm since 2007.
Jan Mertens, 6 Aug 2008

B. & E. Jordan

It was a white flag with a red disc in the centre. In the upper hoist quarter were black initials "B.&E. J.", but instead of the "J" there is according to source its mirror image.
Source: Flaggenkarte, Hrsg.: H. Carly, Hamburg, c.1898
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 22 Jun 2012

Ernst Jung

Hamburger Mineralöl Werke Ernst Jung GmbH
The company was located in Hamburg. It is a red flag divided by a white centred cross. In the centre is a white diamond having a thin black tressure and black capitals "EJ" in its centre.
Source: "Deutsche Reedereien und ihre Erkennungszeichen", 2nd ed.; Hamburg; 1956; p.21
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 4 Apr 2009

Jüngerhans

Here is the website of Reederei Jüngerhans with flag: white with blue border outlined white; in center white diamond outlined blue charged with blue J.
Dov Gutterman, 2 Nov 2003

This image is based on an early website flag logo which has been a mislead by the flag image then being outlined white in order to separate if from the blue website background. In fact the flag is white with narrow blue borders top and bottom and a blue diamond frame enclosing a blue "J". However, there has been a change from the original. The company website is still here with its history page giving family connection with shipping back to 1890 but the current company having foundations from 1931 when Heinrich Jüngerhans bought the "Maria". In 1941 his son Stefan took over the vessel forming the company of Stefan Jüngerhans & Söhne oHG in 1961 at which point the website shows a flag with a Gothic "J" which I take to infer means this is the date of adoption. However this image is suspect in that it curves the bottom of the letter whereas the Josef Nüsse table flag squares it.
The company grew, then in 1971 they began the partnership form of ship ownership and then in 1982 established a shipping group, In 2000 the name was changed to the current Jüngerhans Maritime Services GmbH & Co. K.G. with the flag being changed, by inference, with the diamond frame becoming smaller and the "J" changed to the Roman format . So far I have not found a ship flying the flag so the format cannot be confirmed.
Funnel designs unfortunately do not clarify matters. My sole older style has a Gothic "J" with a rounded bottom but some of their current vessels are still showing such a design, albeit having deleted the two blue funnels bands and having ships with a first name of "Industrial" thus suggesting a separate use e.g. chartered, whereas ships with their normal naming pattern of "J" being the 2nd name. are showing the Roman letter. So, the first version shown above is incorrect, there is proof of a table flag which I would assume would translate to a flag proper which in turn now has a slightly different version going by the company images.
Neale Rosanoski, 3 Feb 2011

Johannes Jürgens

JJ was a so called "Partenreedrei", today we would say a ship fund. An image of the flag can be seen at the top of a share at Maritime Historische Wertpapiere. The shareholder becomes partial owner with 1/210 of a single steamship (German: Schraubendmapfer) The dark blue flag is divided by a white (probably) centred cross having white initials "JJ" in the upper hoist quarter.
Source: Dieter Engel's webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 21 May 2012

Klaus Jürgens

Klaus Jürgens, Glückstadt - white flag, red saltire; in center blue diamond, white "KJ".
(Glückstadt is northwest of Hamburg in Schleswig-Holstein)
Image after Brown's Flags and Funnels Shipping Companies of the World, compiled by J.L. Loughran, Glasgow, 1995 [lgr95]
Jarig Bakker, 12 Oct 2005

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