WW - Scanmel

The name stood—or used to stand—for Scandinavia Middle East Line and represented a formal partnership between WW and the Broström Group to provide a joint service from Scandinavia/Northern Europe to the Middle East. This venture began in 1977, initially utilizing "Scandia-type" vessels that were not in use elsewhere, alongside two converted "Troll" ships—*Troll Forest* and *Troll River*—which were transformed from forest product carriers into container ships. In 1979, WW decided to transfer the *Tarago* to ScanMEL, while the two container ships were moved to Willine.

However, Broström ran into serious financial difficulties in 1980 and chose to withdraw from ScanMEL. WW subsequently assigned the *Tricolor* to the route and continued operating the service independently. Demand for cargo space was high, leading to a name change from ScanMEL to ScanMidEast; the line was eventually integrated into Scancarriers when that entity launched a service from Australia and New Zealand in 1982. 

There was also a curious interlude amidst all this involving questions about OT Line's joint operations and tonnage, but I need to dig up the details on that and come back to it later. There is no mention of this in the 150th-anniversary book.

Source: WW's 150th-anniversary book / Bjørn Pedersen 

                                     Photo: Phil English (www.shipspotting.com)