W.E.C. Lines originated in Spain in 1973 when SBC Container Lines started a container freight service between the UK and Spain. Shortly after, more ports and countries, including Portugal, were added to the shipping schedules. In 1977, the department within SBC that dealt with freight transportation to Portugal was renamed W.E.C. Lines. A name that to this present day is synonymous with short and deep-sea container transport.

By 1980 our network had expanded to include container transport in the Red Sea. This marked the beginning of our deep-sea activities. In the years that followed, we further extended our network in the direction of East Africa with the ports of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa.

In 1986 Holland Maas Shipping, a sister company to W.E.C. Lines, was established. This company directed its focus at short sea activities to ports in, for example, Spain and Portugal and from Lisbon and Leixoes onwards to Casablanca.

In 1994 management in Rotterdam took over all shares and bought out the owners. In the late 90s we were confronted with the decision of major industrial companies to do business with Global Carriers only. A development that led us to establish partnerships that in turn enabled us to provide our services under a ‘Global’ label. This allowed us to continue servicing large, international companies with our container services.

Today, WEC Lines offers services to Irish exporters and importers to East Africa, Pakistan, Spain, Canary Islands, Portugal and Morocco from the Dublin, Cork and Belfast. WEC Lines has an ongoing vision on improving its services for our valuable customers so they can always rely on us. In the past, now and in the future!

Johnson Stevens Ireland Limited has been General Agent in Ireland for WEC Lines since 1980.