Some may recall the first, UK shipping company ( perhaps the first in the world?) to introduce roro ships.

Frank Bustard of Atlantic Steamship Co. introduced a service, leasing surplus LSTs from Admiralty. Empire Baltic sailed from Tilbury to Rotterdam; other services eventuated from Felixstowe.

As well as the North Sea services he later introduced services out of Preston to Irish ports. The company later introduced several similar looking new build ships between 58 and 67, commencing with Bardic Ferry and the final ship Europic Ferry.

The company was nationalised in 1954, under the auspices of British Transport Commission. Between 1954 and 1971 when it was sold to European Ferries it was controlled by the several incarnations of BTC.

Source: Life and Ships in the Merchant Navy