China Fines CMA CGM, MSC And Hapag-Lloyd Over Freight-Rate Violations At Major Ports

China’s Ministry of Transport has fined nine international container shipping companies and seven Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) after inspections at three major Chinese ports found violations related to freight-rate filing procedures and pricing.

The inspections were carried out at the ports of Guangzhou, Qingdao and Ningbo in August, September and November 2025.

The penalties were announced on 12 May 2026 under Ministry of Transport Notice No 1 of 2026.

According to the ministry, the companies either failed to complete freight-rate filing procedures or charged freight rates that were different from the rates filed with authorities.

The list of shipping companies included CMA CGM, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express, Emirates Shipping Line, Evergreen Marine, SM Line, TS Lines, Wan Hai Lines, and Sinokor Merchant Marine.

The Ministry said the penalties were imposed under Article 38 of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on International Maritime Transportation. It did not disclose the amount of the fines.

Companies involved in more serious violations were also called in for regulatory talks.

China’s transport regulator urged international container shipping lines and NVOCCs to improve their internal freight-rate filing systems, clearly assign responsibilities to staff and properly fulfil filing obligations.

The ministry also said provincial transport authorities authorised by the government would increase inspections on freight-rate filing compliance and continue taking action against violations under the law.

The inspections focused on freight-rate filing practices at Guangzhou, Qingdao and Ningbo, three major ports that handle large volumes of China’s international container trade.

The move follows reports in March that Chinese authorities had summoned A.P. Moller – Maersk and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company for talks linked to port operations connected to the Panama Canal.

Per reports, Chinese officials had raised concerns after terminal operators linked to the companies took over one of the canal’s port operations.

Freight-Rate Filing 

China’s freight-rate filing regulations are rules that require international container shipping companies and NVOCCs to officially submit their freight pricing details to Chinese transport authorities before charging customers.

In simple terms, if a shipping line wants to charge a certain ocean freight rate for cargo moving in or out of China, it must first “file” or register those rates with the government.

The system is managed under China’s international maritime transport regulations through the Ministry of Transport.

The purpose of these regulations is mainly to:

• monitor shipping pricing,
• maintain oversight of international liner trade,
• prevent irregular pricing practices,
• and keep records of freight charges in China’s shipping market.

NVOCCs, companies that arrange cargo transport without operating ships themselves, also fall under these rules because they sell shipping space and freight services.

Since China is one of the world’s biggest export hubs, freight-rate filings are important for authorities monitoring container trade and shipping activity through ports such as Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, Port of Qingdao and Port of Guangzhou.

References: portnews, seatrade-maritime