The Atlantic Steam Navigation Company was founded in 1934 with the original object of providing a no-frills transatlantic passenger service.

The original idea was to set up a low cost line providing cheap passages between Europe and the United States.

However the government of the day was not keen on a new company operating on the North Atlantic in competition with Cunard White Star and Bustard was not able to raise a loan from the Bank of England to finance construction.

After demobilisation, Bustard tried again to implement his transatlantic plans but there were no suitable ships available and no chance of raising finance for a new build.

The maiden voyage of ASN took place on 11 September 1946 when LST3519, now renamed Empire Baltic, sailed from Tilbury with 64 new vehicles for the Dutch Army for delivery in Rotterdam.

Early cargoes included a contract to carry 200 prefabricated houses, lorries loaded with glass from Pilkington's, and a circus.

In addition the main car deck was strengthened to take tanks in the event of the vessels being required for military service.

In 1961 ASN started offering container services from Preston to various ports across the Irish Sea using a number of chartered vessels.

Starting with parallel services to Larne and Belfast they expanded to serve Drogheda, Dublin and, briefly, Waterford.

In 1965 ASN moved its North Sea base from Tilbury to the expanding port of Felixstowe which reduced the crossing time by half.