Originally founded in 1847 in Barrow-in-Furness, the company was started by James Fisher, the son of a yeoman farmer, who created a family run shipping business with a fleet of ships to transport iron-rich haematite from the Cumbrian hills to support the Industrial Revolution.

Over the decades, the firm transformed from a traditional shipping company into a leading provider of marine and specialist technical services worldwide.

We’re proud of our unique heritage, and it's part of what makes our company special. 

James Fisher foresaw the growing demand for iron ore driven by the expansion of the railways.

By harnessing Barrow-in-Furness’s abundant mineral resources, he exemplified the pioneering spirit that would come to define the company.

In 1883, the company marked a turning point by taking delivery of its first steamer, initiating a tradition that endures to this day—naming vessels by pairing the firm’s name with water-related terms. Despite challenging trading conditions, the vision to modernise the fleet drove the transition from wooden to steel-hulled sailing ships and laid the foundation for a new era of steam-powered vessels.

James Fisher and Sons became a public limited company on 17 October 1952, marking a significant milestone in its history. On that morning, six million five-shilling ordinary shares were quoted for the first time on the London Stock Exchange. Sir John Fisher sought to secure the company’s future through this pivotal step.

James Fisher's longstanding relationship with the nuclear industry began in 1965 with the conversion of Stream Fisher to transport irradiated nuclear fuel. This pioneering adaptation fulfilled the unique demands of the nuclear sector and showcased the company’s ability to tackle complex challenges. As the first vessel equipped for this purpose, Stream Fisher became the forerunner of the transport division of British Nuclear Fuels Limited.

Building on the acquisition of Coe Metcalf Shipping a decade earlier, the company further expanded by acquiring P&O Tankships Ltd, establishing itself as the leading operator of product tankers in North-West Europe.

In 2005, the acquisition of Fendercare Marine marked the beginning of a period of strategic, targeted growth, driving James Fisher's transformation from a traditional shipping company into a broader marine services provider.

James Fisher celebrates its 165th anniversary this year, with double digit growth rates and record-breaking profits.

The company further expanded its wider marine services offering with additional strategic acquisitions, creating significant growth.

James Fisher expanded into the offshore renewables sector. The award of a major support contract for the construction of Galloper Windfarm in 2015 represented a significant turning point in the company's advancement within the renewables market.

James Fisher has made several significant acquisitions, including SM Continental, further expanding the company's extensive portfolio of group capabilities and enhancing its specialised expertise.

Launched a transformation programme that moved James Fisher from a portfolio of individual businesses to a stronger, more cohesive company. This transformation restructured James Fisher into three Divisions: Energy, Defence and Maritime Transport.