All Aboard the Atlantic Ambition: International Mercantile Marine Company, 1902 IMM

Ahoy there!

The creation of the International Mercantile Marine Company (IMM) in 1902 marks the start of one of the most ambitious undertakings of the twentieth century. Founded by various shipping magnates and sponsored by financier J.P. Morgan, the IMM is setting out to unite major transatlantic shipping lines under a single corporate empire. Bringing together leading firms in the industry, the trust aims to command the lucrative flow of passengers and cargo between Europe and North America, hoping to reshape the industry and become a major maritime power across the Atlantic in the process.

Yet, this vision is threatened by many internal and external challenges: rival shipping companies, American antitrust laws, disastrous accidents, accumulating debt, disagreements among shareholders, and misallocation of funds. In this committee, you will step into the boardrooms and decks of this sprawling maritime empire. You are the key stakeholders: shipping companies, labor groups, government observers, and more. Together, you must face the challenges of managing the company, each holding various stakes in the IMM’s uncertain future.

Will the IMM rise to rule the Atlantic as a maritime empire, or be swept away by the tides of history? The fate of the world’s most ambitious shipping enterprise is in your hands.

Good luck, delegates!