China COSCO Shipping Corporation made waves with strategic moves designed to expand both their fleet and regional operations in December 2025.
Record Order of 87 Vessels Placed for Production Now
On December 8, 2025 in Shanghai, COSCO Shipping signed an historic cooperation agreement with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for the construction of 87 new vessels valued at an estimated RMB 50 billion (about $7 billion). Industry analysts described this deal as one of the single largest newbuilding commitments ever in history and it highlights Chinas dominance in global shipbuilding while COSCO's dedication to modernizing their fleet.
COSCO's order covers an array of vessel types, such as ultra-large container ships, ultra-large bulk carriers, very large crude carriers (VLCCs), grain carriers, multi-purpose heavy-lift ships, medium-range tankers (MR), small container ships and other specialized units. COSCO aims to optimize its fleet structure, enhance competitiveness in global shipping markets and comply with trends toward larger, greener and smarter vessels while supporting global supply chain stability amid rapid maritime sector transformation. The agreement contributes towards global supply chain stability while supporting global supply chain transformation within supply chains around the world.
COSCO's aggressive expansion throughout 2025 continues with this initiative. From January through October, they ordered 25 Capesize bulk carriers for projects like Simandou iron ore. COSCO Shipping Development Co. Ltd. then placed orders for 23 bulk carriers and six ultra-large oil tankers worth RMB 12.4 billion from COSCO Shipping Development. By early October they operated 541 container ships totalling nearly 3.5 million TEU capacity - ranking fourth globally - and had aspirations to surpass 4 million TEU by early next year; 51 container ships had already been ordered with orders totalling 910,000 TEU as of December.
CSSCs involvement has already yielded tangible financial rewards, with revenue reaching RMB 107.4 billion and net profit reaching 5.85 billion during the first three quarters of 2025 - particularly due to COSCOs surge in orders.
Hainan Free Trade Port Milestone
COSCO Shipping reached an important logistics milestone on December 18th 2025 with the launch of Hainan Free Trade Port's Island-Wide Special Customs Operation, by creating 25 container liner routes between Haikou and Yangpu to link major domestic ports with global regions using models like domestic/foreign trade transport on one vessel.
Since 2025 began, Yangpu Port's transshipment container throughput has seen dramatic increases, with foreign trade transshipment containers rising 213% year-on-year. This increase improves overall logistics efficiency while strengthening radiating capacities at COSCO ports hubs. COSCO plans to further optimize their intelligent port supervision system, expand direct routes into RCEP and Middle Eastern regions as well as integrate deeply into the Belt and Road trade network.
These developments establish COSCO Shipping as a key player in Chinas maritime strategy, driving long-term growth across container, bulk, tanker and specialized segments while supporting national initiatives like Hainan FTP.