[5] Upon delivery, the vessel was allocated to Los Angeles Pacific Navigation Company, who along with four other ships put it on her routes to the Orient.

However, by early 1921 it became clear that with the tariffs imposed by the Shipping Board, it was impossible for American merchants to compete with the foreign companies.

West Montop and another vessel Vinita were sitting idle in Los Angeles Harbor for several months due to lack of cargo.

She made two trips to the Orient, arriving on February 14, 1924, in Singapore, leaving two days later and returning to Los Angeles on April 16, 1924 during her first journey.

[14] Another trip was planned for the Fall of 1924, but in September 1924 West Montop was re-allocated to a newly created California & Eastern Steamship Company.

They also set up a registered office in Panama City which allowed them to utilize Panamanian registry very popular with Chinese owners.