A new deepsea shipping platform in Dalian is set to retain more value from locally generated cargo and give the northeastern Chinese port city greater control over international transport capacity, according to Splash247. The newly established Dalian Ocean Shipping Co was formally inaugurated on July 22 under the leadership of China Dalian International Economic & Technical Cooperation Group (CDIG).
Company Structure and Capital
Dalian Ocean Shipping Co was incorporated on June 3 with registered capital of RMB120m ($16.7m), according to corporate filings reported by Splash247. The company has been created around the concept of "Liaoning cargo, Liaoning ships and Liaoning ports", linking regional commodities with controlled vessel capacity and local gateways.
Cargo and Tonnage Commitments
Initial operations are supported by two key agreements. Dalian Dongfang Tangu New Materials Group has committed approximately 1.5m tonnes of petroleum coke annually, providing a stable cargo base. Hong Kong Shiwan Shipping will provide access to ocean-going vessels with aggregate capacity of around 500,000 dwt, giving the new company deployable shipping capacity.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registered Capital | RMB120m ($16.7m) |
| Committed Cargo (petroleum coke) | 1.5m tonnes annually |
| Aggregate Vessel Capacity | ~500,000 dwt |
The structure allows Dalian Ocean Shipping to operate without requiring an immediate large investment in owned vessels, according to Splash247. It could initially operate through long-term charters, joint ventures or other forms of controlled tonnage before gradually building its own fleet.
Expansion Plans and Strategic Focus
General manager Liu Xiqing said the company would focus on deepsea transport, shipping investment and international route development while expanding into freight forwarding and supply chain management. The company plans to enter the market through deepsea cargo transportation before expanding into ship investment, shipmanagement, freight forwarding, cross-border logistics and wider supply chain services, according to Splash247.
CDIG, approved by China's State Council in 1984, brings experience in international contracting, trade, maritime services and overseas labour deployment. Its marine activities include decades of seafarer and technical services for international owners, providing a foundation for the new venture.
For freight forwarders and logistics managers, the launch of Dalian Ocean Shipping represents a potential shift in capacity and routing for cargoes originating in Liaoning province. The commitment of 1.5m tonnes of petroleum coke annually provides a guaranteed volume that could influence spot rates on deepsea lanes, particularly for dry bulk shipments. Shippers should monitor whether Dalian Ocean Shipping expands into containerised freight forwarding as planned, which could add competition on routes from North China to major global markets. Port authorities may see increased throughput at Dalian if the company prioritises local gateways under the "Liaoning ports" concept.
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