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A.G. Ems (German/Dutch Shipping Company)

Aktiengesellschaft “Ems”

Last modified: 2012-04-18 by german editorial team
Keywords: ems ag | borkum lijn | borkumer kleinbahn dampfschiff | ems schlepper | helgoland linie |
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[Aktiengesellschaft “Ems”] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Nov 2010 See also:

AG “Ems” - "German flag"

Aktiengesellschaft “Ems” (AG Ems) - The history of shipping between Delfzijl (Netherlands), Leer and Emden (both Germany already begins in 1843. Shares valued 12.000 Taler had been emitted and on 9th February 1843 the “Ems-Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft-Concordia” was established.
The company merged with “Leerer Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft”, forming the new company AG Ems, located in Emden, in 1900.
In 1901 the departures were removed to Borkum quai in order to save time by avoiding the bridges in the city. Furthermore a direct connection between rail and ship was generated.
In 1903 the “Borkumer Kleinbahn und Dampfschiffahrts AG”, located in Emden, was established with AG Ems being the main shareholder.
In 1968 the first combined passenger and car ferry RHEINLAND II started service. 1000 passengers and 50 cars could be transported.
In 1983 the company acquires the railway station of Emden.
In 1985 the new “Borkumlijn Terminal” in Eemshaven was opened and another car ferry service to Borkum was established.
In 1999 by the catamaran  CAT NO.1 a new line to Helgoland was established. It was a joint venture of “AG Ems”, which held 25% of the shares, “Wyker Dampfschiffahrts Reederei”, “AG Reederei Norden Frisia” and “Förde Reederei”.
In 2001 the high speed catamaran POLARSTERN starts its service on the Helgoland line.
Source: Klaus-Peter Bühne; translated by Klaus-Michael Schneider.

Description of  “German” flag: The ratio is 3:5. It is a black over red over blue horizontal tricolour (the colours of Ostfriesland) with a white diamond in the centre, containing black capital “AG” over “E”.
Source: Klaus-Peter Bühne's webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 May 2009

The Massary cigarette card collection is probably heavily based, possibly entirely, on Flaggenbuch 1928 but like nearly all publications they do not give their source. There had been updates to Flaggenbuch 1928 dated June 20 1933 on a "Deckblätter Nr. 1 1-3 zum Flaggenbuch Teil II (Fla.BII) errata.
Neale Rosanoski, 31 Mar 2012

A.G. "Ems", flag 1924

[A.G. Ems unfimbriated] image by Jarig Bakker, 17 Jan 2006

A.G. "Ems", Emden - horizontal NRB flag, in center white diamond unfimbriated, black "A.G.E." placed 1,2.
Source: Brown's Flags and Funnels Shipping Companies of the World, compiled by J.L. Loughran, Glasgow, 1995 [lgr95]
Jarig Bakker, 17 Jan 2006

Ems-Schlepper A.G.

[A.G. Ems small diamond] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Nov 2010, based on an image located by Neale Rosanoski

Variant has the diamond only, but wholly, on the red band and there are dots shown after the letters. Then the Massary cigarette cards album of 1930 muddies the water. Then they show this version as being for Ems-Schlepper A.G.
Two possibilities here are (1) Ems Schlepper were connected but on their page Jarig gives a formation date of 1924 [which fits in] but does not mention A.G. Ems amongst the founding companies and if a variation of their livery was used I would expect them to be major shareholders or (2) Massary has made a mistake which I think is far more likely. Jarig quoted MarCollect as his source so maybe your contact can resolve that one.
Otherwise it is all reasonably straightforward from there on allowing for the minor differences between sources.
Source: Flaggenbuch 1928, image no. 350
Neale Rosanoski, 26 Oct 2010

A.G. "Ems", flag 1934

[A.G. Ems 1934] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Nov 2010, based on an image located by Neale Rosanoski

Then in 1934 the versions change with A.G. Ems getting the standard version.
Sources: Flaggenbuch corrections 1934, image no.355
Neale Rosanoski, 26 Oct 2010

AG “Ems” - "Dutch flag"

[AG “Ems” - Dutch flag] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Nov 2010 , based on an image located by Neale Rosanoski

Description of  “Dutch” flag: The same as the “German” flag but the ratio is 1:2 and the diamond has changed into a lozenge.
Source: www.marcollect.de; maintained by Klaus-Peter Bühne.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 May 2009

AG “Ems” - "Dutch flag" with lozenge

[AG “Ems” - Dutch flag] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Nov 2010

Description of  “Dutch” flag: The same as the “German” flag but the ratio is 1:2 and the diamond has changed into a lozenge.
Source: www.marcollect.de; maintained by Klaus-Peter Bühne.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 May 2009

AG “Ems” - current flag

[AG “Ems” - current flag] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 May 2009

Description of  current flag: It is a white flag with a white inscription “AG EMS”, fimbriated black, in the centre, which is flanked by two dark grey horizontal lines. The whole is superimposing three irregular bendy lines in the colours of Ostfriesland black-blue-red.
Source: BSU (Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation); Az.400/008; p.18; report about an accident of the POLARSTERN in August 2008; information provided by Johnny Halboth.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 May 2009

former Borkum Lijn flag

[former Borkum Lijn flag] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 May 2009

Description of former Borkum Lijn flag: The ratio is 1:2. The flag is divided by a green centred cross, which is cotized white and black. The lower hoist and the upper fly are light blue containing a yellow 5-point star. The other quarters are red, containing a white “B” (upper hoist) and “L” (lower fly).
Source: www.marcollect.de; maintained by Klaus-Peter Bühne.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 May 2009

new Borkum Lijn flag

[new Borkum Lijn flag] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 May 2009

Description of new Borkum Lijn flag: The ratio is 1:2. It is a yellow flag with a white inscription “AG EMS” over a black inscription “BORKUMLIJN”, fimbriated black, over a black inscription “BORKUMLIJN”in the centre. The total inscription is flanked by two dark grey horizontal lines. The whole is superimposing three irregular bendy lines in the Dutch colours blue-white-red.
Source: www.marcollect.de; maintained by Klaus-Peter Bühne.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 May 2009

Borkumer Kleinbahn-und Dampfschiffahrts K.G. flag

[Borkumer Kleinbahn-und Dampfschiffahrts K.G. flag] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Nov 2010, based on an image located by Neale Rosanoski

For Borkumer Kleinbahn-und Dampfschiffahrts K.G. source shows the "standard" Ems flag.
Then the Massary cigarette cards album of 1930 muddies the water. It shows this flag for Borkumer Kleinbahn-und Dampfschiffahrts K.G. So I would assume that their source was Flaggenbuch 1928 and they were now using the parent company colours, From what I can make out Borkumer Kleinbahn-u. Dampfschiffahrt A.G. ceased to be a shipowner around 1960 when its last vessel "Hessen" changed to A.G. "Ems" ownership who now own all the ships whilst operating the service from 2004 as a group comprising Aktien-Gesellschaft "Ems" of Emden and "Ems" Nederland B.V. [Borkumlijn] of Eemshaven and Borkumer Kleinbahn und Dampfschiffahrt GmbH of Borkum and Emden and Habich & Goth GmbH of Borkum and Emden."
Source: Flaggenbuch 1928, image no.339 and Massary cigarette cards album no.3 of 1930, image no.288
Neale Rosanoski, 26 Oct 2010

Borkumer Kleinbahn-und Dampfschiffahrts K.G. proper flag 1934

[Borkumer Kleinbahn-und Dampfschiffahrts K.G. proper flag] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Nov 2010, based on an image located by Neale Rosanoski

Then in 1934 the versions change with a change of lettering to "B.Kl." over "u.D." over "A-G" .
Source: Flaggenbuch corrections 1934, image no.342
Neale Rosanoski, 26 Oct 2010

Helgoland Linie

[Helgoland Linie] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, based upon a photo provided by Jan Mertens, 19 Oct 2008

The Helgoland Linie links the northern German ports of Emden and Wilhelmshaven with the island of Heligoland in the North Sea. Website(German only), showing the routes (animation) of this seasonal enterprise:
Two main ships are operated, HELGOLAND (based at Wilhelmshaven), the typical passenger ferry,  and Emden-based POLARSTERN (POLARIS), a high-speed catamaran serving additional islands on the coast.  Then,WAPPEN VON JUIST (JUIST ARMS) links the island Juist with Norderney, where POLARSTERN takes up passengers.
Norden-Frisia was sole owner of the Wilhelmshaven-Helgoland line but since 2007 AG Ems owns half the company; I understand ultimately it is a member of
FRS or Förde Reederei Seetouristik.
This 26 Apr 2004 note by Birte Dettmers announces the adoption of a new logo i.e. name and house flag.
Direct link to logo; and last but not least a good photo, made by Martin Leuschner on 18 May 2007: see above. Blue field traversed by a broad yellow ascending diagonal, fimbriated white, bearing a red foul anchor; a white serifless initial "W" in upper hoist and a similar initial "H" in lower fly.  These initials are italic, surely.
Förde group member Reederei Hiddensee looks to have been the company after which this one was modelled.
Jan Mertens, 19 Oct 2008

(The company is a joint venture of Norden Frisia and AG Ems, I spotted this flag on 14 September 2009 in Norddeich//editorial note kms)