Built as the New Zealand Star as one of a class of two self-discharging container ships built for the Australia - New Zealand - Persian Gulf service. It was unfortunate that the year they entered service the Iran - Iraq War broke out, effectively halving their intended market in the Gulf. Operation however continued throughout this period, with calls at Muscat, Dubai, Bahrain, Damm�m in Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. The passage to Kuwait being undertaken as night, showing no lights and at full speed ! At Kuwait one could hear the rumble of the guns firing between Iran & Iraq, which needless to say made the Kuwaitis a little nervous!

She was extended and transferred to Lamport & Holts Lines for their South America operations and renamed the Churchill, before once more returning to Blue Star Line, as the re-incarnated Argentina Star (II) and the name of Lamport & Holt disappeared.

The Lamport & Holt Line was originally known as Liverpool, Brazil and River Plate Steam Navigation Company. They ran passenger services between the United Kingdom and South America, also South America to the West Indies and New York. After the sinking of the Vestris in 1928 the New York passenger service was discontinued. In 1944 the company was purchased by the Vestey Group of companies which included Blue Star Line, Frederick Leyland & Co, and which also took over the Booth Line in 1946. From 1947 a lot of inter-company transfers of ships and temporary renaming took place, plus the formations of several groupings of companies.