Chinese shipping
Encyclopedia
In 1961 the People's Republic of China
established a state-run maritime shipping company and subsequently signed shipping agreements with many countries, laying the foundation for developing the country's ocean transport. That organization developed into the present-day China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO
). The Chinese government also invested heavily in water transport infrastructure, constructing new ports and rebuilding and enlarging older facilities.
A major effort has also been made to increase mechanization
and containerization
at major international ports.
China's shipping industry and container transportation has reached international standards both in handling efficiency and building networks.
The governmental responsibility of the shipping industry is under the Ministry of Transport.
The number of container units handled by mainland Chinese
ports in November 2007 reached 100 million. The country also manufactures 90% of the world's containers.
The throughput of cargo and containers at China's ports has been the largest in the world for the past five years, with an annual growth rate of 35%.
The 1990s saw rapid growth in the container transportation industry, and in 2002 China overtook the United States to become the world's top handler of containers.
In 2006, the country handled 5.6 billion tons of cargo and 93 million TEUs (20-foot container equivalent units). Twelve ports recorded cargo throughput of more than 100 million tons, with the Port of Shanghai
handling 530 million tons, making it the world's busiest port.
Water transportation accounts for more than 90 percent of foreign trade cargo
delivery, including 95 percent of imported crude oil and 99 percent of imported iron ore.
Containers have further connected China's middle and western regions to the global market, under a ports distribution strategy combining coastal areas and inner rivers.
Coastal shipping is divided into two principal navigation zones, the northern and southern marine districts.
The northern district extends north from Xiamen
to the North Korea
n border, with Shanghai
as its administrative centre. The southern district extends south from Xiamen to the Vietnam
ese border, with Guangzhou
as the administrative center.
Most of the ocean-going routes begin from the ports of Dalian
, Qinghuangdao, Xingang, Qingdao
, Shanghai
, Huangpu
, Zhanjiang
, or Hong Kong
.
Shanghai, the leading port of China from the early 19th century, was eclipsed by Hong Kong when the latter was reincorporated into the country in 1997.
between Luzhou
and Chongqing
, also known as the Hu-Yu Sea Route, have been completed. This completion of the renovations means that ships over a thousand tons can now arrive in Luzhou.
Before the renovations, the Hu-Yu Sea Route was unable to take advantage of the overall development being enjoyed by the Sichuan economy. In October 2005 renovations started with a total investment of 120 million yuan
(US$15.7 million). After two years of work, the Hu-Yu Route has been significantly enhanced: the channel has a depth of 2.7 meters and a width of 50 meters. The result is that vessels as large as 3000 tons can navigate the Hu-Yu Sea Route day and night.
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
established a state-run maritime shipping company and subsequently signed shipping agreements with many countries, laying the foundation for developing the country's ocean transport. That organization developed into the present-day China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO
COSCO
China Ocean Shipping Company, known as COSCO or COSCO Group, is one of the largest liner shipping companies worldwide. It is a government owned company of the People's Republic of China...
). The Chinese government also invested heavily in water transport infrastructure, constructing new ports and rebuilding and enlarging older facilities.
A major effort has also been made to increase mechanization
Mechanization
Mechanization or mechanisation is providing human operators with machinery that assists them with the muscular requirements of work or displaces muscular work. In some fields, mechanization includes the use of hand tools...
and containerization
Containerization
Containerization is a system of freight transport based on a range of steel intermodal containers...
at major international ports.
China's shipping industry and container transportation has reached international standards both in handling efficiency and building networks.
The governmental responsibility of the shipping industry is under the Ministry of Transport.
The number of container units handled by mainland Chinese
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
ports in November 2007 reached 100 million. The country also manufactures 90% of the world's containers.
The throughput of cargo and containers at China's ports has been the largest in the world for the past five years, with an annual growth rate of 35%.
History
The first overseas container reached China in September 1973 at Tianjin Port, which later set up the country's first container berth in 1980.The 1990s saw rapid growth in the container transportation industry, and in 2002 China overtook the United States to become the world's top handler of containers.
In 2006, the country handled 5.6 billion tons of cargo and 93 million TEUs (20-foot container equivalent units). Twelve ports recorded cargo throughput of more than 100 million tons, with the Port of Shanghai
Port of Shanghai
The Port of Shanghai, located in the vicinity of Shanghai, comprises a deep-sea port and a river port.In 2010, Shanghai port overtook Singapore port to become the world's busiest container port...
handling 530 million tons, making it the world's busiest port.
Water transportation accounts for more than 90 percent of foreign trade cargo
Cargo
Cargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
delivery, including 95 percent of imported crude oil and 99 percent of imported iron ore.
Containers have further connected China's middle and western regions to the global market, under a ports distribution strategy combining coastal areas and inner rivers.
Geography
China's 8,700-mile- (14,000-km-) long coastline is indented by some 100 large and small bays and has some 20 deepwater harbours, most of which are ice-free throughout the year.Coastal shipping is divided into two principal navigation zones, the northern and southern marine districts.
The northern district extends north from Xiamen
Xiamen
Xiamen , also known as Amoy , is a major city on the southeast coast of the People's Republic of China. It is administered as a sub-provincial city of Fujian province with an area of and population of 3.53 million...
to the North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n border, with Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
as its administrative centre. The southern district extends south from Xiamen to the Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
ese border, with Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
as the administrative center.
Most of the ocean-going routes begin from the ports of Dalian
Dalian
Dalian is a major city and seaport in the south of Liaoning province, Northeast China. It faces Shandong to the south, the Yellow Sea to the east and the Bohai Sea to the west and south. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, Dalian is the southernmost city of Northeast China and China's...
, Qinghuangdao, Xingang, Qingdao
Qingdao
' also known in the West by its postal map spelling Tsingtao, is a major city with a population of over 8.715 million in eastern Shandong province, Eastern China. Its built up area, made of 7 urban districts plus Jimo city, is home to about 4,346,000 inhabitants in 2010.It borders Yantai to the...
, Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, Huangpu
Huangpu
Huangpu can refer to several places in China:* Huangpu District, Shanghai , district of Shanghai municipality** Huangpu River, a river in China, that flows through Shanghai...
, Zhanjiang
Zhanjiang
Zhanjiang , formerly known as Tsamkong, Tsankiang, Fort-Bayard, and Kwang-Chou-Wan, is a prefecture-level city at the southwestern end of Guangdong province of Southern China, facing the island of Hainan to the south....
, or Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
Shanghai, the leading port of China from the early 19th century, was eclipsed by Hong Kong when the latter was reincorporated into the country in 1997.
Yangtze River Hu-Yu Route
On June 23, 2007, renovations on the section of the Yangtze RiverYangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
between Luzhou
Luzhou
-History:The history of Luzhou dates back to Xia and Shang Dynasties. Luzhou became a prefecture level city in 1983.-History of Luzhou:...
and Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
, also known as the Hu-Yu Sea Route, have been completed. This completion of the renovations means that ships over a thousand tons can now arrive in Luzhou.
Before the renovations, the Hu-Yu Sea Route was unable to take advantage of the overall development being enjoyed by the Sichuan economy. In October 2005 renovations started with a total investment of 120 million yuan
Renminbi
The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
(US$15.7 million). After two years of work, the Hu-Yu Route has been significantly enhanced: the channel has a depth of 2.7 meters and a width of 50 meters. The result is that vessels as large as 3000 tons can navigate the Hu-Yu Sea Route day and night.
Greek forays
Greek firms have managed to greatly capture the immense expansion of South East Asia and particularly Europe. It is majorly the dry bulk shipping firms that have benefited the most from the development since iron ore and coal are the two major resources that are required for a country's infrastructure to be taken to the next level. Ever since the beginning of the new millennium, China has provided very lucrative contracts both on the spot, and time charter market for dry bulk shippers. As a result, many new shipping tycoons were created.Ports and canals
- List of ports in China
- Grand Canal (China)
- List of busiest container ports
- Lists of canals
Companies
- COSCOCOSCOChina Ocean Shipping Company, known as COSCO or COSCO Group, is one of the largest liner shipping companies worldwide. It is a government owned company of the People's Republic of China...
(China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company); China COSCOChina COSCOChina COSCO Holdings Company Limited was established in the People's Republic of China in 2005. It is the listed flagship and subsidiary of China Ocean Shipping Company , the largest integrated shipping company in China and the second largest in the world...
; COSCO PacificCOSCO PacificCOSCO Pacific Limited , headquartered in Hong Kong, is a subsidiary and listed company of COSCO Group owned by COSCO Group. It is mainly engaged in container terminal operations, container manufacturing and leasing, shipping agency and freight forwarding.It has been a Hang Seng Index Constituent...
; COSCO (Hong Kong) GroupCOSCO (Hong Kong) GroupCOSCO Group Limited is one of the largest Chinese state-owned conglomerate in Hong Kong, which is wholly owned by COSCO Group. Its business include shipping services, coatings manufacturing, insurance, information technology, freight forwarding, property development and management.Its listed...
; COSCO International HoldingsCOSCO International HoldingsCOSCO International Holdings Limited is the subsidiary of COSCO Group . It is engaged in ship trading and supplying services... - China International Marine ContainersChina International Marine ContainersChina International Marine Containers Co., Ltd is a Chinese company principally engaged in the manufacture and sale of transportation equipment, such as containers, road transport vehicles and airport ground-handling equipment....
- China Shipping Container LinesChina Shipping Container LinesChina Shipping Container Lines , a division of China Shipping Group , is a containerized marine shipping company, based in Shanghai, China....
- China Shipping DevelopmentChina Shipping DevelopmentChina Shipping Development is a Chinese shipping company with its headquarters in Shanghai. The company is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange....
- China Shipping GroupChina Shipping GroupChina Shipping Company is shipping conglomerate under the direct administration of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. It is headquartered in Shanghai. It is mainly engaged in shipping of oil tankers, passenger ships and container vessels...
- China Merchants Energy ShippingChina Merchants Energy ShippingChina Merchants Energy Shipping Company Limited , parented by China Merchants Group, is engaged in shipping industry, including tanker transportation, bulk cargo vessel transportation. Other businesses include training for sailors and sales of electronic ship machinery...
- China Merchants Holdings (International)
- SinotransSinotransSinotrans Limited is one of the largest logistics companies in China. It is based in Beijing, People's Republic of China. Sinotrans Limited was incorporated in 2002 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2003 with Sinotrans Group as its controlling shareholder. The Group injected into...
(Sinotrans ShippingSinotrans ShippingSinotrans Shipping Limited is one of the largest shipping companies in China. It is engaged in vessel time chartering, shipping service and fleet management. It is parented by Sinotrans Group and headquartered in Hong Kong....
) - The China Navigation Co.The China Navigation Co.The China Navigation Company Limited is a merchant shipping company based in Hong Kong in China. It was founded by John Swire to offer paddle-steamer services on the Yangtze...
- Orient Overseas Container LineOrient Overseas Container LineOrient Overseas Container Line is a Hong Kong-based container shipping and logistics service company.OOCL is one of the world's largest shipping and logistics companies with more than 280 offices in 55 countries around the world, providing 78 services covering international trading markets with a...
- Nan Fung GroupNan Fung GroupNan Fung Group is a privately held group of companies carrying on the business of property development as its core business in Greater China including shipping, textiles and financial services. It is also one of the leading property developers and largest privately held developers in Hong Kong.Nan...
- Parakou ShippingParakou ShippingParakou Shipping or Parakou Group is a Hong Kong shipping firm founded in 1985. Its headquarters are located at 1510-1512A, West Tower, Shun Tak Centre, 168-200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong....
See also
- Transportation in ChinaTransportation in ChinaTransport in China may refer to:*Transport in the People's Republic of China *Transport in Hong Kong*Transport in Macau*Transportation in Taiwan...
- China Classification SocietyChina Classification SocietyChina Classification Society is a classification society of ships, started in 1956 as a non-profit making body in the People's Republic of China to perform classification survey, certification survey and notarial survey of ships including offshore installations, containers and related industrial...
- International Chamber of ShippingInternational Chamber of ShippingThe International Chamber of Shipping is the world's principal shipping organisation, representing around 75% of the world’s merchant tonnage; through membership of national shipowners' associations, concerned with all regulatory, operational and legal issues....
(ICS) - Shipping portalShipping portalShipping portals are web-based communities which allow shippers, consignees and forwarders access to multiple carriers through a single site and concentrate on providing bookings, track and trace, documentation functions, and allow users to communicate with their carriers...
- Ship registration in Hong KongShip Registration in Hong KongThe Hong Kong Shipping Register was set up in 1990 under the Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Ordinance. Since the transfer of sovereignty by the United Kingdom in 1997, Hong Kong is authorised under the Basic Law by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, using the name “Hong Kong, China”...
- The Revolution of Ship Registration in Hong KongThe Revolution of Ship Registration in Hong KongThe port of Hong Kong is a deep water port located in southern China. It is one of the hub ports serving the South-East and East Asia region, and is a gateway to mainland China. The city of Hong Kong began as a colony of the United Kingdom. It was a free port, and became an international trade...
- The Revolution of Ship Registration in Hong Kong
- List of maritime colleges
- Shanghai Maritime UniversityShanghai Maritime UniversityShanghai Maritime University is a public university in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Shanghai Maritime University is a multidisciplinary university with 6 fields of study: Engineering, Management, Economics, Literature, Science and Law...
- Dalian Maritime UniversityDalian Maritime UniversityDalian Maritime University is a university located in Dalian, Liaoning, People's Republic of China. It is a key maritime institution under the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China.- History :...
- Shanghai Maritime University
External links
- Chinese shipping Official website of the Ministry of Transport
- Chinese shipping industry information
- Chinese shipping news information/news
Further reading
- Theroux, P., Sailing through China (Michael Russell, 1983)