{"id":75,"date":"2015-10-12T04:45:18","date_gmt":"2015-10-12T04:45:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/?page_id=75"},"modified":"2020-10-16T16:08:30","modified_gmt":"2020-10-16T16:08:30","slug":"whitaker-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/whitaker-history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.26.6&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;WHITAKER&#8217;S THROUGH THE YEARS&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; header_fullscreen=&#8221;on&#8221; header_scroll_down=&#8221;on&#8221; scroll_down_icon_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.4&#8243; title_font_size=&#8221;75px&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/History.jpg&#8221; parallax=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;on&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; disabled_on=&#8221;on|on|off&#8221;][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;WHITAKER&#8217;S THROUGH THE YEARS&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; header_fullscreen=&#8221;on&#8221; header_scroll_down=&#8221;on&#8221; scroll_down_icon_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.4&#8243; title_font_size=&#8221;40px&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/History.jpg&#8221; parallax=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;on&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|on&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;header mobile&#8221;][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>History<\/h1>\n<p><!-- start history content --><style>\n                                .history {\n                                    background: url('https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/history-bg.png') repeat-y center;\n                                }\n                                .history_left {\n                                    display: inline-block;\n                                    width: 40%;\n                                }\n                                .history_right {\n                                    display: inline-block;\n                                    float:right;\n                                    margin-top: 300px;\n                                    width: 40%;\n                                }\n                                .history_box {\n                                    min-height: 600px;\n                                    margin-bottom: 50px;\n                                    position: relative;\n                                }\n                                .history_title {\n                                    font-size: 30px;\n                                    line-height: 30px;\n                                    background-color: #33c;\n                                    color: white;\n                                    padding: 40px;\n                                    text-align: center;\n                                }\n                                .history_content {\n                                    padding: 20px 30px;\n                                    border-left: 1px solid #33c;\n                                    border-right: 1px solid #33c;\n                                    border-bottom: 1px solid #33c;\n                                }\n                                .history_image {\n                                    border-left: 1px solid #33c;\n                                    border-right: 1px solid #33c;\n                                }\n                                .history_date {\n                                    padding: 15px;\n                                    color: white;\n                                    text-align: center;\n                                    font-size: 30px;\n                                    display: inline-block;\n                                }\n                                .history_date_content_left {\n                                    position: absolute;\n                                    right: -35%;\n                                    top: 60px;\n                                    width: 120px;\n                                    text-align: right;\n                                    background: url('https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/left-arrow.png') no-repeat left;\n                                }\n                                .history_date_content_right {\n                                    position: absolute;\n                                    left: -35%;\n                                    top: 60px;\n                                    width: 120px;\n                                    background: url('https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/right-arrow.png') no-repeat right;\n                                }\n                                .arrow_right {\n                                    clip-path: polygon(0 0, 0 100%, 50% 50%);\n                                    -webkit-clip-path: polygon(0 0, 0 100%, 50% 50%);\n                                    background-color: #f33;\n                                    width: 30px;\n                                    height: 50px;\n                                    display: inline-block;\n                                    border: 1px solid #f33;\n                                    padding-top: 15px;\n                                }\n                             <\/style><div class='history'><!--left--><div class='history_left'><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>1880<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>The story begins<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/1880-image_20160503_112218_001_edited.jpg' alt='The story begins'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>John Henry Whitaker sets up his Dry Cargo lighterage business on the River Humber, at the age of 33 years, and with two small second-hand wooden craft.\u00a0After dying suddenly aged 51 years, John Henry's\u00a0two teenage sons are left to run the company. Despite their inexperience it prospers.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>1920<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Expanding the fleet<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/scanner@whitaker-tankers-co-uk_20160503_125653_001_edited.jpg' alt='Expanding the fleet'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>By the end of World War One, ships are converting from\u00a0coal fired steam to oil fired engines, and the company responds by increasing the fleet to approximately 30 bunker barges.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>1955<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>The first Coastal Tanker<\/div><div><\/div><div class='history_content'>Until 1955 the company has only operated smooth water barges, but with the encouragement of BP, Whitaker's purchase a 450 tonne coastal tanker, previously used as a German U Boat tender in the war. This vessel operates out of Falmouth; a big step for the company!\r\n\r\nThe dry cargo barges disappear as factories begin taking their products by coaster instead of transhipping into barges.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>1973<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Tough Times<\/div><div><\/div><div class='history_content'>Around\u00a0this time the Middle East Oil Crisis erupts,\u00a0badly affecting\u00a0crude oil supply.\r\n\r\nPetrol prices rise dramatically causing a reduction in demand for fuel to be transported up the canals to Leeds.\r\n\r\nThere is also\u00a0a near collapse of the fishing industry which currently provides much of our custom.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>1982<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>The demise of our inland waterways traffic<\/div><div><\/div><div class='history_content'>Government policy changes in the late 1980s. Oil companies are now paying duty on their products as they leave the refinery.\r\n\r\nMotorways between refineries and Leeds are being expanded, and lorry load capacities increase. This triggers the decline of inland transportation for Whitaker's.\r\n\r\nThe company reacts to the changes and acquires four coastal barges.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>1988<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>The company sets up a Southern division office in Southampton<\/div><div><\/div><div class='history_content'>The company successfully tenders for new business bunkering out of Southampton, and creates a southern fleet of coastal tankers.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>1996<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Jaynee W joins the fleet<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Jaynee-W.jpg' alt='Jaynee W joins the fleet'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>A new custom built tanker arrives to meet growing demand in Southampton.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>1998<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Milford Haven becomes one of our hub ports<\/div><div><\/div><div class='history_content'>The company successfully wins a bid to provide a bunker service in Milford Haven and the Bristol Channel.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>2003<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Sister ship Whitchampion is delivered<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WHITCHAMPION.jpg' alt='Sister ship Whitchampion is delivered'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>Whitchampion, the sister ship to the Whitchallenger arrives and goes straight into service working on the Irish Sea.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>2007<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>The fifth generation Whitonia<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/WHITONIA.jpg' alt='The fifth generation Whitonia'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>Whitaker's takes delivery of the 6,200 tonne Dubai built Whitonia (our largest vessel yet), and the fifth vessel in the company to bear the name, 41 years after her first namesake. The Whitonia reinforces the fleet in Southampton.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>2009<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Whitstar joins the fleet<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WHITSTAR-1.jpg' alt='Whitstar joins the fleet'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>The company buys the Whitstar to support customer demand and strengthen the fleet.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>2012<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>The Whithaven joins the fleet<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Whithaven.jpg' alt='The Whithaven joins the fleet'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>The Whithaven is purchased to improve the age profile of the existing vessel based in Milford Haven.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_left'><div class='history_date'>2018<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Acquisition of the Whitdawn<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WHITDAWN.jpg' alt='Acquisition of the Whitdawn'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>In 2018 the company introduces a new 4500 DWT Whitdawn to fulfil customer demand.<\/div><\/div><\/div><!--right--><div class='history_right'><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>1910<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Whitaker&#8217;s becomes a limited company<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/scanner@whitaker-tankers-co-uk_20160503_122758_001_edited.jpg' alt='Whitaker&#8217;s becomes a limited company'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1910 John Henry Whitaker makes Whitaker's a limited company, with\u00a0the entire fleet consisting of 3 wooden barges.\u00a0He begins carriage of petroleum products in drums. All vessels are either horse drawn or sail powered at this point.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>1936<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>The horses are gone!<\/div><div><\/div><div class='history_content'>The company pushes forward with motorising the canal barges. 1936 sees the last of the company horses being sold.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>1965<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>More ships arrive<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/scanner@whitaker-tankers-co-uk_20160503_132445_001_edited.jpg' alt='More ships arrive'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>It's the end of World War\u00a02 and the company begins repairing and regrouping. Having been commandeered by the government during wartime, a number of barges suffer damage while others have been sunk. The two dry docks are badly damaged.\r\n\r\nThankfully, the company once again begins to prosper, building up a fleet of 65 vessels by 1965.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>1981<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Our Mersey office is established<\/div><div><\/div><div class='history_content'>&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn 1981 Whitaker's purchases the shipping assets of John Harker Ltd. We begin operating three coastal tankers on the Tyne And Tees, and another three on the Mersey. This freedom to travel round the coast without estuarial limits and constraints brings a new dimension to the company.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>1985<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Rapid company growth in 1985<\/div><div><\/div><div class='history_content'>The 1985 Miners Strike puts huge pressure on the electric companies. Many power stations sit alongside small rivers (Richborough, Drax, Ferrybridge &amp; Blyth), so the government commandeers several Whitaker vessels to keep the oil flowing.\r\n\r\nThis further enhances the company's reputation for providing first class service under extreme pressure.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>1991<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>The push barges arrive on the Mersey<\/div><div><\/div><div class='history_content'>Following the prestigious award of the BP Bitor contract, the company acquires a push barge fleet of vessels to transport nearly one million tonnes per annum of Orimulsion between Liverpool and Ince Power Station on the Manchester Ship Canal.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>1998<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>The future is double hulled tankers<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Erika-Sinking.jpg' alt='The future is double hulled tankers'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>Following the sinking of the Erika, the tanker industry starts considering the feasibility of all oil tankers being double hulled.\r\n\r\nWhitaker's respond to this market requirement by designing a bespoke double hulled bunker tanker.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>2002<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>We take delivery of the Whitchallenger just as the Prestige sinks<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Whitchallenger-heavy-weather-9.jpg' alt='We take delivery of the Whitchallenger just as the Prestige sinks'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>In 2002 we take delivery of our new double hulled tanker 'Whitchallenger', and continue building\u00a0her sister ship 'Whitchampion'.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>2005<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>The Mersey goes double hulled<\/div><div><\/div><div class='history_content'>We decide to replace our single hulled vessel on the Mersey and purchase the 2200 tonne DWT Keewhit, to service demand both in the river and in the Irish Sea.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>2007<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Wilberforce goes into service<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/WILBERFORCE.jpg' alt='Wilberforce goes into service'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>We build the Wilberforce at Modest Shipyard in India, in order to service bunker contracts on the Humber Estuary.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>2010<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Whitnavigator is delivered<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WHITNAVIGATOR.jpg' alt='Whitnavigator is delivered'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>The Whitnavigator follows as the second Indian vessel, beginning service in 2010, with Sydney the location for her first charter.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>2015<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Securing a Technical Management<\/div><div><div class='history_image'><img src='https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screenshot-2020-04-02-at-18.53.25.png' alt='Securing a Technical Management'><\/div><\/div><div class='history_content'>In 2015, Whitaker's strengthens a customer relationship and takes over the technical management of two third party vessels operating out of the Mersey.<\/div><\/div><div class='history_box'><div class='history_date_content_right'><div class='history_date'>2020<\/div><\/div><div class='history_title'>Covid 19<\/div><div><\/div><div class='history_content'>The unprecedented global pandemic sees us navigating through unchartered waters. However, the company feels it is well placed to survive the storm and aims to continue strengthening the business as new opportunities arise and the world hopefully begins to return to normal.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.26.6&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#CC3333&#8243; min_height=&#8221;228px&#8221; global_module=&#8221;681&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.26.6&#8243;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.26.6&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">24\/7 EMERGENCY CONTACT<\/span><\/h1>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">01482 595320<\/span><br \/><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"mailto:emergency@whitaker-tankers.co.uk\">emergency@whitaker-tankers.co.uk<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.26.6&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;WHITAKER&#8217;S THROUGH THE YEARS&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; header_fullscreen=&#8221;on&#8221; header_scroll_down=&#8221;on&#8221; scroll_down_icon_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.4&#8243; title_font_size=&#8221;75px&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/History.jpg&#8221; parallax=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;on&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; disabled_on=&#8221;on|on|off&#8221;][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;WHITAKER&#8217;S THROUGH THE YEARS&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; header_fullscreen=&#8221;on&#8221; header_scroll_down=&#8221;on&#8221; scroll_down_icon_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.6.4&#8243; title_font_size=&#8221;40px&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/History.jpg&#8221; parallax=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;on&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|on&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;header mobile&#8221;][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;] History [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<h1>History<\/h1><p>Slider for history page to go here.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1239,"href":"https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75\/revisions\/1239"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whitakertankers.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}