Milestones - 2024
December
OOCL officially launched OOCL Green on the FreightSmart platform on December 30. This value-added service provides customers with a straightforward and transparent method to offset the carbon footprint of their container transport by utilizing biofuel on OOCL sailings. This initiative reflects OOCL's commitment to collaborating with customers in achieving decarbonization within their logistics chains.
OOCL introduced three new services in its Intra-Asia network, named China Laem Chabang Service (CHL2), Far East - Chennai Service 3 (FCS3) and China India Express 2 service (CIX2), to further optimize OOCL’s network coverage, provide customers with more competitive shipment options and to cater the growing demand from emerging markets.
OOCL announced the upgrade of three Trans-Atlantic services (ATE1, ATE2 and ATG) in partnership with COSCO SHIPPING Lines, CMA CGM, Evergreen Line, and Ocean Network Express. In addition, OOCL introduced the Atlantic West Coast (ATW) service that offers direct coverage from North Europe to US West Coast via a slot charter agreement.
On December 6, OOCL named another brand new 16,828 TEU container vessel as "OOCL Iris" at Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd (NACKS) shipyard. This vessel is the second of ten new 16,000 TEU container ships ordered by OOCL. "Iris" also represents OOCL's in-house IT system, the Integrated Regional Information System, which has transformed the company's operations since its launch in 1999. "OOCL Iris" was named and blessed by Ms. Lily Wan, the wife of Mr. Eric Wang, Board Director and Vice President of Midea Group.
On December 3, OOCL celebrated the naming of its first 16,828 TEU vessel at the Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (DACKS) shipyard. The vessel, named "OOCL Bauhinia," which resembles Hong Kong's city flower, reflecting the company's deep roots in Hong Kong for 55 years. OOCL was pleased to have Ms. Xiaoli Ma, Managing Director of COSCO-HIT Terminals (Hong Kong) Limited and Deputy Managing Director of Asia Container Terminals Ltd., as the vessel sponsor to name and bless the new ship. The event also welcomed Mr. Lianjun Li, Senior Partner at Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP, as an esteemed guest.
November
OOCL won the Distinction Award (Large Organization Category) of the Hong Kong Sustainability Award 2024 organised by The Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA). This award program brings a recognition of a company’s consideration to the economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainability while achieving good business and organisational performance.
October
OOCL entered into charter agreements on October 22 with Seaspan to charter six brand new 13,000 TEU container vessels. The expected delivery of these vessels is from the fourth quarter of 2026 to the first quarter of 2028 and is to be chartered for 15 years from delivery.
August
On August 30, OOCL received the recognitions of “Outstanding Performance in Port State Control (PSC) 2023“ and ”Company Recruiting the Most Hong Kong Sea-going Cadets 2023“ from Marine Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) for the company’s strong performance in ship management and the support in nurturing young Hong Kong seafarers.
On August 26, OOCL celebrated the naming of its twelfth 24,188 TEU newbuilding, the "OOCL Portugal," at a ceremony at Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (NACKS) shipyard. This vessel is the final addition to the series. The ceremony featured Mrs. Laura Liang Aron, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai, as the vessel sponsor, and special guest Mr. NI Zhao, Regional Head (Shanghai) of the Hong Kong Shipping Registry.
On August 22, OOIL announced its interim results with a profit attributable to equity holders of US$833.3 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024.
OOCL launched the FreightSmart e-commerce platform on the WeChat Mini Program, with key features including order tracking, real-time notifications for updates and promotions, comprehensive account management, and instant chatbot “Fin”. This strategic move enhances OOCL's digital presence and provide customers with a seamless shipping experience on their mobile devices.
OOCL and its partners, including IKEA and Kyocera, took steps to advance low-carbon shipping by utilizing cleaner fuels to minimize supply chain emissions. Their inaugural voyage in early August employed a B24 biofuel blend made from ISCC certified Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester and VLSFO, aiming to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Carbon savings were attributed to the participating partners, and each received a Green Certificate, verified through blockchain technology, which ensured traceability and transparency of the carbon emission reductions achieved.
July
OOIL was listed in S&P Global’s “Sustainability Yearbook (China Edition) 2024”, and ranked as the “Top 1% S&P Global CSA Score (Chinese Corporate)” in its industry for the second consecutive year. In 2023, S&P Global launched the China Edition of its Sustainability Yearbook for Chinese companies to benchmark their performance in corporate sustainability with their local peers. Inclusion in the S&P Global’s “Sustainability Yearbook (China Edition) 2024” is clear and valuable recognition of OOIL’s outstanding performance in environmental, social, and governance practices and in ESG disclosures.
June
On June 25, OOCL received the “Best Green Shipping Line” award at “2024 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards” ceremony. This was the second time OOCL won the title of “The Best Green Shipping Line”, demonstrating the market recognition of OOCL’s efforts and resolute commitment to achieving environmental excellence and sustainability.
On June 25, OOCL named the company's eleventh 24,188 TEU eco-friendly vessel "OOCL Denmark", which was the last of six vessels in the same series that Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (DACKS) built for OOCL. OOCL invited Dr. Rulin Fuong Tung, wife of Mr. Andy Tung, as the vessel sponsor to name the new vessel, Mr. Andy Tung, Non-Executive Director of Orient Overseas (International) Limited and Managing Partner of QBN Capital as the guest of honour and Mr. Frank Tong, Managing Partner of QBN Capital as the honourable guest of the naming ceremony.
OOCL announced that two of its 24,188 TEU new buildings, “OOCL Finland” and “OOCL Sweden”, had started serving in Asia-Europe service LL1. OOCL Finland and OOCL Sweden were named by Ms. TANG Li, Chief Executive Officer of KEECO Asia Group, on April 25 and Ms. CHEN Ying, Independent Director of Orient Overseas (International) Limited, on April 23 respectively. With the introduction of these two new vessels, OOCL has taken delivery of ten eco-friendly mega containerships of the same model, marking an important milestone in the company's fleet upgrade.
May
Effective May 29, 2024, Mr. Weidong Tao, was appointed Executive Director and member of Executive Committee of OOIL; Chairman of the Board of OOCL, Chairman of Executive Committee, and Chief Executive Officer of OOCL, succeeding Mr. Zhijian Yang following his resignation.
April
OOCL launched a new service Transpacific Latin Pacific 5 (TLP5) in its Asia – Latin America network to enhance its network coverage in these emerging markets. This new service would offer direct connections between China, Korea and Mexico, with a competitive transit time of 15 and 20 days from Qingdao to Ensenada and Manzanillo respectively.
OOCL announced a service upgrade of its Asia – East Coast South America network, including optimization of routes in TLA1 and TLA2 services and capacity upsize in TLA2 service, to provide customer with competitive and reliable shipment options and cater for the demand of reefer shipment from East Coast South America to Asia.
March
On March 21, OOIL announced a profit attributable to equity holders of US$1,367.9 million for 2023.
On March 15, OOCL and its OCEAN Alliance partners announced the Day 8 products with optimized port rotation, offering competitive and reliable shipping options to customers.
February
On February 28, OOCL and Sumitomo Corporation signed a business alliance agreement to provide new refrigerated ocean transport that utilizes electric field technology and realizes the long-term preservation of freshness for a variety of commercial products. By developing and promoting this service, Sumitomo Corporation and OOCL aimed to establish a new standard for freshness-preserving logistics and realize ocean transportation of non-freezing chilled products from distant locations.
On February 27, OOCL and members of OCEAN Alliance signed documents to agree on the extension of the OCEAN Alliance for five years, until March 31, 2032.
On February 25, OOCL welcomed its eighth eco-friendly 24,188 TEU vessel, “OOCL Abu Dhabi”, further enhancing the company’s fleet structure. Ms. HAN Lina, Vice President of Supply Chain Management Center at Jiangsu Runergy New Energy Technology Co.,Ltd was invited to name and give her blessings to the vessel at the ceremony held at Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (DACKS) shipyard.
OOCL achieved the top performance tier, named Sapphire, in the 2023 Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Program with 95% cooperation for the year. This program, which covers San Francisco Bay and Southern California zones, aims to reduce air pollution, fatal ship strikes on whales, and underwater noise.
January
On January 5, OOCL celebrated the naming of its seventh vessel in the 24,188 TEU vessel series at the Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (NACKS) shipyard. OOCL was honoured to have Ms. YING Xiuzhen, Director and Vice President of China-Base Ningbo Group Co., Ltd. to name the vessel as “OOCL Valencia” and offer her blessings.
