In 1903 as Unione Austriaca di Navigazione, more commonly called the Austro-American or Austro-Americana Line, when Trieste was under the rule of Austria-Hungary.

In 1857 Captain Antonio F. Cosulich launched the family business with the 500-tonne ship Fides[1] built-in Cherso, a Kavner Island of Istria.

The first voyages took place every six weeks and went from Trieste to Mobile, Brunswick, Charleston, Wilmington, and Newport News, as well as to other ports on the East Coast as required.

The Cosulich family originated from the island of Lussino (today Lošinj, Croatia) now operating as the Austro-American Line, ships of the company carried passengers from Trieste to Messina, Naples, Palermo, and New York.

[3] Cosulich made arrangements with the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company for service from Trieste to Canada which proved to be uneconomical and was canceled after six voyages.