China's Top Shipping Lines Undergo Major Reshuffle

A significant reshuffling of China's leading shipping brands is in progress, with China Merchants set to divest its container and RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) businesses to concentrate on the dry bulk, gas, and tanker segments.

China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) has announced plans to spin off Sinotrans Container Lines and China Merchants RoRo Transportation (Guangzhou RoRo) in a deal with Antong Holdings, a fellow Chinese company.

The Shanghai-listed shipping division of China Merchants Group stated in a filing that the agreement, which is pending signature and approval, would make Antong Holdings, the parent company of Quanzhou Ansheng Shipping, the controlling shareholder of both Sinotrans Container Lines (Sinolines) and Guangzhou RoRo.

Antong entered administration in late 2019 and underwent restructuring a year later through a deal with Fujian Zhaohang Logistics Management, a joint venture between China Merchants Port Holdings and AVIC Trust.

CMES acquired Sinolines in 2021 and holds a controlling stake in the Guangzhou RoRo joint venture, established in 2019, in which Guangzhou Automobile holds a 30% stake. 

The RoRo unit, marking Antong’s entry into the car carrier market, is listed on VesselsValue with nine ships and two more expected in 2026. Sinolines ranks 34th among liner companies with a fleet of around 30 ships, which would complement Antong’s 83 feeder vessels, nearly half of which are owned.

CMES has been updating its fleet across several segments and currently has an extensive shipbuilding program, either independently or in collaboration with CMB Financial Leasing. This program includes bulkers, some of the largest LNG carriers, and the world’s first methanol dual-fuel VLCC. 

Additionally, six car carriers are slated to enter service in the coming years, with four ordered late last year.