China Merchants Energy Shipping
Corporate brand
UnclaimedChina Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) is a Shanghai-listed shipping company operating tanker, gas, dry bulk, ro-ro and container fleets.
Last updated October 12, 2026
Overview
China Merchants Energy Shipping Co., Ltd. (abbreviated 招商轮船) states that shipping is the ancestral and core business of China Merchants, whose China Merchants Steam Navigation Company was founded in 1872 during the Self-Strengthening Movement and formed China's first modern merchant fleet. The company says it owns world-class VLCC and VLOC fleets, a leading domestic LNG fleet and ro-ro fleet, and an Asia-Pacific first-class container fleet, with capacity ranking among the top global non-financial shipowners. It listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in December 2006 under ticker 601872.SH. Its main businesses cover oil transport, gas transport, dry bulk transport, ro-ro transport and container transport. It states it operates and manages more than 360 vessels with total capacity exceeding 50 million deadweight tonnes, and describes itself as pursuing green low-carbon operations, digital-intelligent innovation, crew management and a global service network.
History
According to the company, shipping is the ancestral and core business of China Merchants: the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company was founded in 1872 during the Self-Strengthening Movement and formed China's first modern merchant fleet, making it a pioneer of China's modern national shipping industry. China Merchants Energy Shipping Co., Ltd. listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in December 2006 under ticker 601872.SH, and states that immediately after listing it joined major constituent indices and is one of the blue chips of China's capital market. The company describes a series of smart and green shipping milestones: in 2018 the world's first smart VLOC, PACIFIC VISION (明远轮), received dual smart certification from DNV GL and CCS; in 2019 the world's first smart VLCC, NEW JOURNEY (凯征轮), set sail; in 2022 the world's first four-wing wind-sail VLCC, 新伊敦轮, was launched with comprehensive energy savings of over 7.4% and annual carbon emission reductions of over 2,200 tonnes; in 2025 the world's first methanol dual-fuel ro-ro ship 港荣轮 and the world's first methanol dual-fuel VLCC 凯拓轮 entered service; and in 2026 港荣轮 completed China's first green methanol anchorage bunkering in Hong Kong. In 2023 the company launched the "船奇碳智" platform, described as the first comprehensive digital-intelligent carbon emission management platform of its kind domestically and internationally, and in 2024 the "丝路云链" electronic bill of lading platform (BRITC eBL Platform) received certification from the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG P&I).
- 2026
港荣轮 completed China's first green methanol anchorage bunkering in Hong Kong, marking a new breakthrough in the full-chain application of green fuels.
- 2025
The world's first methanol dual-fuel ro-ro ship, 港荣轮, and the world's first methanol dual-fuel VLCC, 凯拓轮, successively set sail, both supporting flexible switching between conventional fuel and methanol and meeting IMO Tier III emission standards.
- 2024
The '丝路云链' electronic bill of lading platform (BRITC eBL Platform) received certification from the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG P&I), bringing electronic sea waybills into insurance coverage and entering a new stage of commercial application.
- 2023
China Merchants Energy Shipping launched the '船奇碳智' platform, described as the first comprehensive digital-intelligent carbon emissions management platform in China and abroad.
- 2022
The world's first four-wing wind-sail VLCC, NEW ADEN (新伊敦轮), was launched, achieving over 7.4% comprehensive energy savings and reducing annual carbon emissions by more than 2,200 tonnes.
- 2019
The world's first smart VLCC, NEW JOURNEY (凯征轮), set sail, opening a new chapter in smart shipping for ultra-large crude carriers.
- 2018
The world's first smart VLOC, PACIFIC VISION (明远轮), received dual smart-ship certification from DNV GL and CCS, marking China Merchants Energy Shipping's entry into the era of smart shipping.
- 2006
China Merchants Energy Shipping (stock code 601872.SH) listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in December, immediately entering major constituent indices as a blue-chip of China's capital market.
- 1872
China Merchants Steam Navigation Company (轮船招商局) was founded during the Self-Strengthening Movement, assembling China's first modern merchant fleet and pioneering the country's modern national shipping industry.
Products and positioning
Aims to build a world-class shipping enterprise with core competitiveness, providing safe, efficient and environmentally friendly shipping services.
Oil transport
Gas transport
Dry bulk transport
Ro-ro transport
Container transport
Controversies
Sources3 sources
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