COSCO Shipping charts greener path for sustainable development

Integrating sustainable development and social responsibility deeply into top-level corporate strategies and the entire operational chain is essential for navigating the future of the global maritime industry, experts said.

Over the past decade, COSCO Shipping has actively embraced its role as a key player in the global logistics network. Lin Ji, president of the company, highlighted its commitment to maintaining the security and stability of global supply chains.

By advancing an integrated operational model encompassing shipping, ports and logistics, the group has served as a crucial stabilizer for international trade. Lin noted that the company has consistently supported the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative while fostering technological and industrial innovation within the maritime sector.

Lin made the remarks at the group's social responsibility results news conference in Beijing, where it officially launched its new corporate social responsibility brand: "Sailing Together".

In the push for a low-carbon transition, the company has significantly expanded its green footprint. According to Lin, new energy-powered vessels accounted for 33 percent of the group's newly added capacity and vessel orders in 2025. Beyond fleet upgrades, the group has driven the electrification of major hub ports and spearheaded the development of a zero-carbon demonstration zone on Dongyu Island in Boao, Hainan province, providing a practical model for green development in tropical regions.

Furthermore, the company has actively participated in the formulation of the International Maritime Organization's emission reduction rules, proposing Chinese solutions for key global maritime issues.

On the social front, the group has prioritized employee welfare and cross-cultural exchanges. The company has established a comprehensive system for better protecting the rights, occupational health and career advancement of its global workforce, ensuring that employees share in the fruits of its high-quality development.

Detailing the new reporting framework, Luo Bing, vice-president of the group, noted that the newly introduced "Sailing Together" brand reflects the company's commitment to collaborating with global partners and driving a sustainable future, aligning with the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

COSCO Shipping has also launched a comprehensive"1+N+M" sustainable development reporting system. Luo explained that the framework is designed to provide a transparent and systematic overview of the company's multi-dimensional practices. The "1" stands for the annual main sustainability report, which recently earned a five-star excellence rating from a national evaluation committee. The "N" represents specialized reports on targeted areas such as low-carbon initiatives, overseas social responsibilities, supply chain synergy and crew rights protection. Meanwhile, the "M" includes 33 independent sustainability reports published by 24 domestic and overseas tier-two subsidiaries in 2025, ensuring that responsible practices reach the grassroots level of operations.

Expanding its philanthropic footprint, the COSCO Shipping Charity Foundation teamed up with the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda to launch the "Panda Captain, Guarding the Homeland" public welfare project. Hai Xia, chairman of the foundation, explained that the initiative will fund rewilding programs to help captive giant pandas learn survival skills and successfully integrate into wild populations. Additionally, the project will explore the psychological "healing power" of the animals, aiming to apply these therapeutic benefits in practical scenarios such as schools, workplaces and hospitals.

Since its inception in 2005, the charity foundation has been recognized as a 4A-level social organization by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Over the past two decades, it has donated more than 1.5 billion yuan ($223.65 million) and supported over 1,100 charitable projects, ranging from education and disaster relief to rural vitalization. Following the introduction, the panda research center presented a donation certificate to the foundation, marking the official rollout of the conservation plan.