H. H. Meier became NDL's first Chairman of the Supervisory Board, and Crüsemann became the first director of the company (German "Aktiengesellschaft" – AG). Crüsemann was in charge of both cargo services and passenger transport, which, as a result of emigration, was growing significantly. The company was also active in other areas, including tugboats, bathing, insurance, and ship repair (the last of which it still provides). The first office of the shipping company was located at number 13 Martinistraße in Bremen.