The story of China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) starts with the formation of the China Shipping Group (CSG) in Shanghai in 1997. 

 

CSG is a state owned enterprise employing some 40,000 staff having interests in bulk shipping, tankers, regional container services in Asia and CSCL.  Amongst other activities, the Group is involved in container terminals, air freight, freight forwarding, telecommunications and various investment opportunities. 

 

At the beginning of 1999 when the export of manufactured goods from China began to soar, China Shipping Container Lines started its first non-regional service to Australia.  This was soon followed by the first sailing to Europe and a first call at Felixstowe in May; later the same year CSCL started a Trans Pacific service.  Through the ten years since then, the fleet has grown to 170 container ships with a capacity of 512,000 teu.  The mixed fleet of owned and chartered tonnage is young with the majority of the ships having a capacity in excess of 4,000 teu.  Tonnage on order includes eight ships of 13,300 teu capacity.

 

Although future plans may be tempered in scale by the poor global situation, China Shipping is already operating in over 60 major trades lanes including the important east-west trades.  The company ranks as one of the six largest container lines.

 

In the UK and Ireland, China Shipping (UK) Agency has represented CSCL exclusively since the first sailing in 1999.  In that time China Shipping has become an established and award-winning name having won a reputation in the UK shipping industry for its efficient and helpful service.  The company is based in Felixstowe and recently moved into our new purpose-built office just outside the container terminal.  The building has been designed to take into account sustainable and environmental considerations.

 

Our Asia Europe Express (AEX) services provide three sailings every week to and from the main ports in Asia and excellent connections to out-ports throughout Asia and Australia using in-house feeder companies and third party carriers.  Our flagship AEX 1 service calls at Felixstowe and AEX 3 and AEX 4 call at Southampton.  We accept cargo in Grangemouth, Belfast, Dublin and Cork to connect with the main line services at Felixstowe or Rotterdam.