The house flag of Alfred Holt & Co. Ltd, Liverpool. A rectangular blue flag bearing a white diamond in the centre with a black monogram 'AH'. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope and toggle is attached.

Alfred Holt (1829-1911), began his career as a railway engineer and went on to act as a consultant engineer in the design and development of steam ships. In 1853 he went into in ship operating with his father George and coal merchant Thomas Ainsworth. He sold all his vessels in 1864 except 'Cleator', installed a new and improved engine in this vessel and registered a new concern - the Ocean Steam Ship Company the following year. The company started steam services to China in 1865. In 1902 the company took over its rival, the China Mutual Steam Navigation Company.

Liner Holdings Ltd (Elder Dempster Fleet) were taken over in 1953 and the two fleets were integrated. In 1965 Ocean Containers Ltd were formed in which Ocean had a large shareholding. From 1967 the name Alfred Holt & Co went out of use. William Cory & Son were acquired in 1972 and the name of the group was changed to Ocean Transport and Trading Co. Ltd. In 1977, the last Cory vessel was sold and the company wound up. The fleet's deep sea vessels were registered in the Isle of Man from 1987. The company sold the Cory Towage fleet of 60 tugs and ceased to be a ship owner in 2000.