MS Shipping

completed

Industrial development in western China is increasing the region’s demand for container, roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) and bulk shipping over the Yangtze river, one of the largest navigable rivers in the world. Based in Chongqing, the transportation hub in the south western region of China, Minsheng Shipping Co. Ltd. (Minsheng) is a leading ship operator along the Yangtze river. Minsheng operates 93 vessels, comprised of tug boats, barges, container liners and Ro-Ro vessels. In 1993, Minsheng pioneered container liner services in the Yangtze River, and in 2000 the company acquired its first Ro-Ro vessel. By 2002, Minsheng accounted for 60% of total container volume and about 95% of total Ro-Ro vehicles shipped from Chongqing port. Containers are the most cost efficient means of transporting goods on the Yangtze river and container volumes are expected to grow rapidly over the next few years. IFC's investment will support Minsheng's plans to purchase new vessels and optimize its vessel structure, achieve efficiency gains and allow it to meet the growing demand for container and Ro-Ro vessels along the Yangtze river.