a cruise ship in 1977–78, after which it was withdrawn due to high fuel costs. In 1979 and 1980 the company operated two ex-Lloyd Triestino liners, and , as cruise ships, but this again proved unprofitable. Because of the unprofitability of the cruise business, the Italian Line turned to freight shipping. It operated its principal container services between the Mediterranean, the west coast of North America, and Central and South America, carrying about of freight in 2001. Previously owned by the Italian government, the company was privatized in 1998 when sold to d'Amico Società di Navigazione. In August 2002, it was acquired by CP Ships, and in 2005 the Italian Line name ceased to exist following CP's one-brand strategy. CP Ships itself was bought-out in late 2005 by TUI AG, and merged with Hapag-Lloyd in mid-2006. International identifiers SCAC Code: ITAU BIC Code (Container prefixes): ITAU Ships Passenger ships Container ships GRT = gross register tonnage GT = gross tonnage References Further reading Italia Line: Official website – page offline – please refer to History of CP Ships Bureau International des Containers (Container prefix codes, now linking Italia Line units to Hapag-Lloyd due to the merger) CP Ships: Press release – CP Ships Completes Acquisition of Italia Di Navigazione, 6 August 2002 CP Ships: Press release – CP Ships Adopts a Single Brand, 28. April 2005 External links – fleet list – images of company brochures – trade routes and ships of the Italian Line in the 1950s, 60s and 70s Transport companies established in 1932 Italian companies established in 1932 Defunct shipping companies Defunct transport companies of Italy Defunct cruise lines Transatlantic shipping companies Shipping companies of Italy Italian brands Transport companies disestablished in 2002 Italian companies disestablished in 2002