The company started life in 1824 as the Liverpool and Belfast Steam Packet Company.^[1] operated by Langtry & Herdman. They began a steam ship service from Belfast to Liverpool.^[2]

Vessels introduced were as follows:^{[citation needed]}

• PS Chieftain, 1826
• PS Corsair, 1827
• PS Falcon, 1835
• PS Reindeer, 1838
• PS Sea-King, 1845
• PS Blenheim, 1848

About 1830 the Dublin Steam Packet Company began a weekly service in competition.^{[citation needed]} On 31 January 1852 the Liverpool and Belfast Steam Packet Company was registered as The Belfast Steamship Company Ltd.^{[citation needed]} In 1859, it expanded and absorbed the Cork Steamship Company and in 1866 it absorbed the Londonderry Steamboat Company.^{[citation needed]} It was absorbed into Coast Lines in 1919 as a subsidiary company, which was subsequently absorbed into P&O Ferries in 1975.^{[citation needed]}