Sir Joseph Maclay, Bt (16 December 1916 – 31 March 1921) as "Shipping Controller" was the first holder of the post.
As Sir Joseph was not a member of either house of Parliament, a Parliamentary Secretary was appointed to represent him in the Commons.
The first was Sir Leo Chiozza Money (22 December 1916) who was succeeded on 10 January 1919 by Leslie Orme Wilson who held the post until 31 March 1921 The responsibilities overseen by the minister included what had been the Transport Board that was part of the Navy Board until 1832.
[3] In 1917, the ministry embarked on a large scale requisitioning scheme of British ships and became responsible for the maintenance and operation of a vast merchant fleet.
[2] After the end of the war in November 1918 the main functions of the ministry were the transport of troops, prisoners of war and material back to the United Kingdom, the disposal or release of requisitioned ships, and the reconditioning of vessels for release back to their private owners.