With a coastline stretching over 14,000 kilometers and more than 2,000 operational ports, China has established itself as the undisputed global leader in maritime logistics.
The country accounts for nearly 30% of global maritime trade volume, making its shipping companies not only essential to domestic trade but also pivotal players on the international stage.
The magnitude of China’s shipping sector is best illustrated through its port activity. In 2024 alone, the Shanghai Port, which has been the world’s busiest container port for 15 years in a row, handled more than 51 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). This set a new global record for container traffic. [1]
Beyond port infrastructure, China is also dominating the global shipbuilding industry. In 2024, Chinese shipyards held over 55.5% of the global order books and received 113 million deadweight tonnes (DWT) in newbuilding orders, accounting for approximately 74.1% of all orders worldwide. [2]
At the heart of China’s maritime dominance are its leading shipping companies, including large state-owned enterprises and rapidly growing private carriers that have expanded alongside globalization.
Below, I highlight the top Chinese shipping companies based on their size, scope, specialization, and global reach. These companies operate some of the world’s largest container ships, oil tankers, LNG carriers, and dry bulk vessels, connecting China to over 200 countries and 700 international ports.
Did you know?China’s river ports and sea ports handle over 6.14 billion and 10.84 billion metric tons of cargo annually. The country’s sea freight transport market is projected to exceed $185 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7%. [3][4]
Table of Contents
11. Antong Holdings
Founded: 1998Revenue: $1.05 billion+
Fleet Size: 84 vessels
Competitive Edge: Reaches secondary and tertiary ports
Antong Holdings is a major player in China’s domestic container shipping and logistics sector, primarily operating through its flagship brand Ansheng Shipping and subsidiaries such as Quanzhou Anhai Port and Anji Logistics.
Over the years, Antong has developed a strong reputation for high-frequency, domestic container routes and has become a significant competitor in the niche of short-sea container shipping within China’s coastal and inland waterways.
Unlike global players, Antong focuses on serving secondary and tertiary ports, connecting smaller industrial cities directly with coastal trade routes. Its extensive inland network and presence in feeder ports offer a valuable alternative for shippers seeking to bypass congestion at major terminals.
Antong moves goods between factories, warehouses, and ports — especially for industries like textiles, electronics, furniture, and light machinery. In 2024, the company generated $1.05 billion in revenue, marking a 2.8% increase compared to the previous year.
10. Shanghai Zhonggu Logistics
Revenue: $1.53 billion+
Fleet Size: 100+ vessels, various types of containers
Competitive Edge: Leader in domestic container shipping
Shanghai Zhonggu Logistics, one of China’s biggest private container shipping and logistics companies, is known for its dominance in the domestic container transport market. It offers consistent and high-frequency routes connecting China’s major ports, including Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao, Guangzhou, and Xiamen.
Unlike international carriers that focus on global trade lanes, Zhonggu’s core strength lies in short-sea shipping and intermodal logistics solutions within China. The company uses standard and specialized containers (such as coal, open-top, frame boxes, refrigerated, and food-grade) to transport over 10,000 types of products.
Zhonggu doesn’t just operate container ships; it also manages inland transportation, warehousing, and port logistics. It has successfully integrated land-sea-rail intermodal transport, allowing customers to enjoy smooth cargo delivery between remote inland regions and coastal cities.
9. Huayang Maritime Center
Founded: 1995Revenue: $1.5 billion+
Fleet Size: Owns 13 vessels of various types
Competitive Edge: Elite ship management, Human capital & training
Huayang Maritime Center is one of China’s leading state‑owned ship management and maritime services providers. Instead of owning the vessels directly, the company provides third-party ship management services globally, including crew deployment, technical management, procurement, safety systems, and compliance oversight.
It manages a fleet of over 150 ships of various types, including chemical tankers, oil tankers, vehicle carriers, marine engineering ships, scientific research ships, and bulk and general cargo carriers.
Huayang is one of the largest crew manning companies in China, serving around 150 ship owners globally. At any given time, it manages approximately 10,000 crew members onboard vessels worldwide.
The company also forms strategic joint ventures for crewing and technical services. In 2024, Huayang partnered with Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) to establish a joint venture for crewing and training in Hainan.
8. New Times Shipbuilding
Founded: 2006Revenue: $2 billion+
Production Capacity: 30 ships annually
Competitive Edge: High-capacity facility, Timely delivery reputation
New Times Shipbuilding (NTS) is one of China’s largest private shipbuilding enterprises, known globally for constructing LNG dual-fuel vessels, high-performance bulk carriers, oil tankers, chemical carriers, and container ships.
Its high-capacity facility is capable of producing over 30 vessels each year, focusing primarily on ships with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of more than 100,000 tons.
As of 2023, the company had delivered a total of 449 ships exceeding 10,000 tons, with a cumulative deadweight tonnage (DWT) of over 49.32 million. It also maintains a strong backlog and global order book, with more than 100 vessels scheduled for delivery through 2028. In 2023 alone, the company delivered 27 ships totaling 3.71 million DWT and secured additional orders amounting to 6.48 million DWT. [5]
In 2024, NTS rose to the top spot among global shipyards by compensated gross tonnage (CGT), securing 4.63 million CGT in new orders. This accounted for more than 7% of the global market. [5]
7. Orient Overseas Container Line
Founded: 1969Revenue: $10.7 billion+
Fleet Size: 70+ vessels
Competitive Edge: Efficient, modern fleet, Technology pioneer in shipping
Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) is one of the world’s largest integrated container shipping and logistics service providers. Although it is a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Holdings, OOCL operates under its own brand, known for delivering premium service, driving IT innovation, and maintaining high global efficiency.
It is also one of the earliest adopters of digital solutions, e-commerce tools, and AI-driven logistics optimization. Its customer-centric technology offerings, like MyOOCLCenter and CargoSmart, have positioned it as a digital pioneer in the maritime world.
The company operates a fleet of modern, large-scale container vessels, including mega-ships exceeding 24,000 TEU. In 2024, it generated $10.7 billion in revenue, compared to $8.3 billion in 2023. Operating profit also increased to $2.6 billion from $1.4 billion in the previous year. [6]
In the coming years, OOCL plans to double its logistics footprint across ASEAN, India, and North America, with a strong focus on cross-border e-commerce and retail logistics. It also aims to deploy net-zero emissions ships by 2030 and achieve full carbon neutrality by 2050, aligning with the targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). [7]
6. COSCO Shipping Ports
Revenue: $1.5 billion+
Handling capacity: 124 million TEU
Competitive Edge: Global port presence enhances shipping-network efficiency.
COSCO Shipping Ports (CSP) operates a massive portfolio of over 38 terminals in 20+ countries, including some of the busiest and most strategically significant ports in global trade like Piraeus Port (Greece), Port of Antwerp (Belgium), and several terminals in Shanghai, Qingdao, and Guangzhou.
As the port arm of COSCO Group, CSP serves not only as a terminal operator but also as a key integrator of maritime logistics, supporting the entire supply chain from port to inland destinations.
CSP invested approximately $200 million in automation, covering cranes, terminal operating systems, and data analytics. As a result, it reduced vessel turnaround times to around 32 hours and boosted crane productivity by nearly 12% in 2023. It also implemented solar, wind, and LED systems as part of its smart and green port initiatives.
CSP operates 375 berths across 39 ports worldwide, including 226 dedicated to container handling. Its total annual capacity reaches approximately 124 million TEUs.
5. Sinotrans Limited
Revenue: $14.6 billion+
Fleet Size: 115+ ships, including 40 of bulk carriers
Competitive Edge: Seamlessly combines sea, rail, air, and road freight
Sinotrans Limited is one of China’s largest integrated logistics and freight forwarding providers, offering a comprehensive range of services that include international and domestic freight forwarding, warehousing, third-party logistics (3PL), express delivery, and supply chain management.
The company moves everything from containers and bulk cargo to special freight and high-value goods. It is also the largest participant in China-Europe Railway Express services, connecting inland China with Central Asia and Europe through overland corridors.
In fact, it is widely regarded as the logistics backbone of China’s foreign trade, operating across rail, sea, air, and road freight services. The company also plays a major role in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.
In 2024, Sinotrans generated $14.6 billion in revenue, reflecting a 3.8% increase from the previous year. The company has more than doubled its revenue over the past decade. Plus, it is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, with a focus on electrification, greener trucks, and alternative fuels. [8][9]
4. China Yangtze River Shipping Group
Founded: 2000Parent: China Merchants Group
Competitive Edge: Yangtze River dominance, Connects central & western inland cities
China Yangtze River Shipping Group (CRS) is the largest inland waterway transportation company in China. As a subsidiary of China Merchants Group, it operates a broad array of shipping, logistics, and port-related services centered primarily around the Yangtze River — the world’s busiest inland waterway in terms of cargo volume.
The company plays a major role in optimizing domestic trade flows, reducing pressure on highway and rail freight systems, while supporting the “Go Inland” strategy tied to China’s regional development goals.
CRS has launched a smart river logistics platform that integrates real-time cargo tracking, automated dispatching, and vessel positioning systems. It has also introduced new passenger cruise vessels for the Three Gorges and Chongqing–Yichang routes, targeting high-end domestic tourism.
In 2024, the company led the launch of the Green Bulk Carrier Capacity Pool, partnering with eight river shipowners to introduce LNG- and methanol-powered vessels in support of the Yangtze River’s green transition. [10]
3. SITC International Holdings
Revenue: $3 billion+
Fleet Size: 114 vessels, including 100 self-owned vessels
Competitive Edge: Strong intra-Asia container shipping network
Over the past three decades, SITC has carved a strong niche as a mid-sized yet highly efficient player that connects China with Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, and other emerging markets.
It focuses on short-haul and medium-haul container shipping routes within Asia-Pacific, operating in regions typically underserved by mega-liners such as Maersk or COSCO.
The company offers a full range of services, including container shipping, logistics, warehousing, and land transportation, delivering door-to-door solutions for regional trade. It operates a fleet of 114 vessels (100 owned and 14 chartered) with a total capacity of 180,255 TEUs. Its network covers more than 80 service routes, reaching over 70 ports across 16 countries.
What sets SITC apart is its asset-light, customer-centric model and its agility in adapting to regional trade flows. Despite being significantly smaller than giants like COSCO, SITC has outperformed many of its peers in terms of return on equity (ROE), operating margins, and resilience during global shipping downturns.
In 2024, SITC generated approximately $3 billion in revenue, marking a 25.9% increase from $2.4 billion in 2023. Its gross profit rose to $1.14 billion, an 83.4% increase compared to the previous year. [11]
2. China Merchants Group
Founded: 1872Revenue: $127.54 billion+
Fleet Size: 90+ ships, incluidng 34 giant ore carriers & 16 capesizes
Competitive Edge: Historical legacy & state backing
China Merchants Group is one of China’s oldest and most diversified state-owned conglomerates, with a rich maritime legacy dating back to the late Qing Dynasty. Over the decades, it has evolved into a global leader in shipping, logistics, ports, finance, real estate, and infrastructure investment.
Through its key subsidiaries like China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) and China Merchants Port Holdings (CMPort), the group commands a substantial share of China’s maritime logistics, energy transport, and port infrastructure development.
Today, it operates on a global scale, holding significant stakes in key ports such as Tin Can Island in Nigeria, Doraleh in Djibouti, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, and several locations across Europe. It manages around 130 berths with a total capacity of 60 million TEUs across 34 ports in 18 countries.
In 2024, the group reported $127.54 billion in annual revenue, with a total profit of $31.61 billion and a net profit of $26.05 billion. Its total assets reached $2.05 trillion. [12]
1. COSCO Shipping Group
Founded: 2016Revenue: $25 billion+
Fleet Size: 1,535+ vessels, including 490+ container ships
Competitive Edge: Unmatched scale and diversification
COSCO Shipping Group is the largest integrated shipping enterprise in China and one of the most powerful maritime logistics giants worldwide. It was formed in 2016 through the merger of China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) and China Shipping Group, two state-owned behemoths.
It is more than just a shipping carrier. It operates across the entire maritime ecosystem, including container shipping, oil tankers, dry bulk, port and terminal operations, logistics, shipping finance, shipbuilding, repair, and digital services.
With a fleet of about 1,535 vessels totaling 130 million DWT and a container capacity of over 3.39 million TEU, COSCO ranks fourth among the world’s top companies in dry bulk, tanker, and general cargo shipping.
These days, the Group is aggressively adopting AI for route logistics, blockchain for documentation, and IoT for vessel and terminal monitoring, while investing in alternative-fuel vessels to meet the IMO’s 2030 and 2050 emission targets. [13]
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Sources Cited and Additional References- Anne Kerriou, Ranking of the world’s major ports, Upply
- Frank Marmol, Chinese shipyards booked 74% of all newbuilding orders in 2024, LinkedIn
- Water Transport, Cargo throughput at China’s ports, Statista
- Market Report, The China sea freight transport market size and trends, Mordor Intelligence
- Gao Jing, NTS takes the helm as China commands 70% of global ship orders, Jiemian
- Container Shipping, OOCL achieves higher full-year revenues and gross profit, Baird Maritime
- Regulation, Shipowners praise OOCL’s commitment to net zero emissions in 2050, ShippingWatch
- Transportation & Logistics, Revenue of Sinotrans Limited over the years, Statista
- Sinotrans, Progress towards the Paris Agreement, World Benchmarking Alliance
- Company Update, Gasification of Yangtze River, Enric Group
- Financial Report, Gross profit increased by over 83%, SITC
- About Us, CMS is a comprehensive enterprise with diverse business operations, China Merchants Group
- Company News, Special Seminar on AI applications, COSCO Shipping
