BEIJING : China’s Ministry of Transport has penalized a total of nine international container shipping lines and seven domestic non-vessel operation common carriers for alleged freight rate violations, according to a report published May 14, 2026, by The Maritime Executive. The Ministry described the penalties as a warning for carriers to improve their systems.
Among the targeted industry leaders are MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, CMA CGM Group, Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express, and Evergreen Karine. Smaller carriers on the list include Wan Hai Lines, SM Line, Emirates Shipping, and TS Lines, along with the seven NVOCCs.
The Ministry stated that inspections were conducted in August, September, and November 2025 at the ports of Guangzhou, Qingdao, and Ningbo. The inspections focused on how the companies implemented their freight rate filings.
Authorities found that the cited companies had violated regulations by failing to complete freight rate filing procedures or by having discrepancies between actual freight rates and filed prices. The Ministry imposed administrative penalties and held what it described as serious talks with the companies.
The Ministry is demanding that the companies improve their freight rate filing systems, ensure accountability, and fulfill their filing obligations. Calling the action a warning, it said it will intensify inspections and review compliance with freight rate filing regulations, correcting any violations according to the law.
The latest effort follows a March report that the Ministry had summoned both Maersk and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company for talks, which were widely seen as a dressing down after each agreed to have terminal operators assume port operations at the Panama Canal. According to a Financial Times report, Chinese officials privately demanded that the companies relinquish operations of terminals seized from CK Hutchison by Panama’s government. CK Hutchison had also said it would invoke arbitration against Maersk’s APM Terminals.
Source : Indexbox
