Taiwan's second-largest container shipping company, founded in 1972, headquartered in Keelung, with a capacity of approximately 700,000 TEU, ranking ninth globally. Starting in 2025, it became a founding member of the Premier Alliance, with trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe routes as its core markets.
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| English Name | Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation |
| SCAC Code | YMLU |
| Headquarters | Keelung, Taiwan |
| Established | 1972 |
| Shipping Alliance | Premier Alliance (from 2025) |
| Fleet Capacity | Approx. 700,000 TEU (Alphaliner 2025) |
| Global Rank | 9th |
| Number of Vessels | Approx. 100 (owned + chartered) |
Company Overview
Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation was established in 1972, named after the entrepreneurial spirit of Zhang Qian, a pioneer of modern Chinese shipping. Its headquarters is located in Keelung, Taiwan. Yang Ming is the second-largest container shipping company in Taiwan. In its shareholding structure, Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation holds approximately 17%, and public institutions such as the China Aviation Development Foundation also hold a certain proportion, giving it a government-backed background. Since its establishment, Yang Ming has operated steadily and sustainably, enduring multiple global shipping cycles and demonstrating strong resilience to risks.
Yang Ming's core markets are concentrated in three major sectors: trans-Pacific, Asia-Europe, and Intra-Asia. The company has deep roots in the trans-Pacific trade, operating a series of proprietary brand routes such as PSW (Pacific Southwest) and PNW (Pacific Northwest), earning a strong reputation in the North American market. Yang Ming also provides integrated logistics services through its subsidiary Yes Logistics, and operates a dedicated terminal at Kaohsiung Port through Yang Ming Kaohsiung Terminal. In 2025, following the reorganization of THE Alliance, Yang Ming joined ONE and HMM to form the Premier Alliance, continuing to maintain stable capacity deployment on global main routes. Yang Ming's digital platform offers online inquiry functions, and the Bofeng Logistics operations team skillfully uses Yang Ming's system to provide customers with vessel schedule inquiries and cargo tracking services.
Major Service Routes
| Route | Typical Port Rotation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Asia-Europe (FE Series) | Shanghai—Ningbo—Yantian—Singapore—Rotterdam—Hamburg—Antwerp | Weekly |
| Trans-Pacific (PSW Series) | Yantian—Ningbo—Shanghai—Busan—Long Beach—Oakland | Weekly |
| Asia-Mediterranean | Qingdao—Shanghai—Ningbo—Xiamen—Yantian—Port Said—Gioia Tauro—Valencia | Weekly |
| Asia-US East Coast | Xiamen—Yantian—Ningbo—Shanghai—Busan—New York—Norfolk—Savannah | Weekly |
| Intra-Asia | Shanghai—Ningbo—Shekou—Hong Kong—Singapore—Port Klang—Laem Chabang—Jakarta—Manila | Weekly |
Ports of Call in China
Yang Ming's ports of call in Mainland China primarily serve mainline routes:
- East China: Shanghai, Ningbo
- South China: Shenzhen (Yantian/Shekou), Xiamen
- North China: Tianjin, Qingdao
- Other Regions: Connected via feeder networks to secondary ports in East and South China
Operational Guidelines
- Booking Method: Submit booking requests to Yang Ming through Bofeng Logistics
- Bill of Lading Issuance: Yang Ming issues Master Bills of Lading (MBL) and supports telex release
- Container Tracking: Bofeng Logistics provides customers with cargo tracking information via Yang Ming's tracking system
- Special Cargo: DG (dangerous goods) require advance confirmation that the commodity is within Yang Ming's acceptance scope; OOG (out-of-gauge) large cargo requires detailed drawings and weight certificates
- Seasonal Factors: Yang Ming's trans-Pacific peak season is tightest from July to October; PSW/PNW series routes require booking at least 3 weeks in advance during peak season. Intra-Asia routes are relatively stable, but there is some pressure around Chinese New Year and mid-year peak shipping periods
- Transit Time Reference: South China to US West Coast approx. 15-18 days, South China to US East Coast approx. 25-30 days (via Panama Canal), South China to Europe approx. 25-30 days, South China to Mediterranean approx. 22-28 days, Intra-Asia approx. 5-10 days
- Restrictions: Yang Ming's ports of call in South China are primarily Yantian and Shekou, with fewer direct calls at Nansha and Chiwan; Yang Ming's coverage on emerging markets such as Africa and Latin America is less extensive than larger carriers; Yang Ming's overall capacity on deep-sea routes is limited, and peak season space may fill up early
Bofeng Logistics Services
As a first-tier freight forwarder for Yang Ming, Bofeng Logistics leverages Yang Ming's solid position in the Premier Alliance and decades of expertise on trans-Pacific routes to provide customers with focused and reliable North American shipping corridors:
- Relying on Yang Ming's long-term advantages on trans-Pacific routes (with proprietary brands such as PSW/PNW operating for decades), Bofeng Logistics offers mature and stable capacity solutions and abundant schedule options for North American export companies, especially suitable for long-term contract customers shipping from South China to the US West and East Coasts
- Taking advantage of priority berthing and operational efficiency at Yang Ming's self-operated terminal in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Bofeng Logistics can connect cargo from South China via Kaohsiung transshipment to North America/Europe, offering flexible transshipment solutions for enterprises in the Pearl River Delta
- For cargo exported from various ports in the Pearl River Delta, Bofeng Logistics provides one-stop services including trucking for container pick-up, export customs clearance, and cargo insurance. Combined with Yang Ming's stable operational style, it ensures timely shipment of each consignment
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are Yang Ming's main competitive routes? Yang Ming's core competitive routes are the trans-Pacific services, including PSW (Pacific Southwest, connecting Asia with the US West Coast) and PNW (Pacific Northwest, connecting Asia with Canada/the US Northwest). Yang Ming has decades of experience in the trans-Pacific trade, with a stable customer base and mature operations. Its proprietary PSW/PNW brand routes enjoy a strong reputation in the North American market. In addition, Yang Ming also maintains stable capacity on Intra-Asia and Asia-Europe routes, but trans-Pacific remains its most competitive core market.
Q2: What does the Premier Alliance mean for Yang Ming? The formation of the Premier Alliance holds significant strategic importance for Yang Ming. Following the restructuring of the former THE Alliance, Yang Ming, ONE, and HMM jointly established the Premier Alliance, ensuring Yang Ming's capacity coverage and competitive position on global main routes. Through alliance cooperation, Yang Ming can offer customers route coverage and sailing frequencies comparable to larger carriers without bearing all operational costs independently. The Premier Alliance serves as both a key platform for Yang Ming to maintain global competitiveness and a stabilizer to mitigate single-market risks.
Q3: What type of shippers is Yang Ming suitable for? Yang Ming, with its stable operations and professional expertise on trans-Pacific routes, is particularly suitable for export companies focused on the North American market. Its proprietary PSW/PNW brand routes provide stable schedule options from South China to the US West and East Coasts, ideal for customers requiring long-term contract cooperation. Yang Ming's self-operated terminal at Kaohsiung Port offers priority berthing and operational efficiency advantages, suitable for cargo transshipping via Kaohsiung to North America or Europe. For shippers seeking stable partnerships and valuing carrier operational stability, Yang Ming is a reliable long-term partner.
Practical Experience
In Bofeng Logistics' operations with Yang Ming, trans-Pacific routes are our core area of cooperation. Yang Ming has decades of deep experience in the trans-Pacific market, and the operations of the PSW (Pacific Southwest) and PNW (Pacific Northwest) series routes are very mature. Based on our actual experience serving customers, Yang Ming's trans-Pacific schedules in the South China market primarily call at Yantian and Shekou, with stable schedules and on-time performance at an above-average level in the industry.
Under the Premier Alliance framework, Yang Ming's routes have been expanded to a certain extent. We have observed that through slot chartering within the alliance, Yang Ming can offer customers a wider range of destination port options, no longer limited to its own route coverage. However, it should be noted that total transit time for alliance transshipment solutions is usually 3-5 days longer than direct routes. When designing solutions for customers, we comprehensively consider both transit time and cost to ensure the optimal route is selected.
Transit time reliability from South China to the US West Coast is one of Yang Ming's core competitive advantages. In actual operations, we found that Yang Ming's weekly service from South China (Yantian/Shekou) to Long Beach has a total sailing time of approximately 15-17 days, and this timeframe is generally maintained even during peak season. For North American export companies that value schedule stability, Yang Ming is a trustworthy long-term partner.
Selection Advice
Who needs: Companies focusing on North American exports requiring long-term stable trans-Pacific capacity, or customers needing transshipment via Kaohsiung, Taiwan to North America/Europe. Choose: With decades of deep experience in trans-Pacific PSW/PNW brand routes, priority operations at its self-operated Kaohsiung terminal, and the synergy of the Premier Alliance, Yang Ming provides a mature, stable, and reliable long-term shipping corridor for North American export cargo.
Contact Us
- Carrier Website: http://www.yangming.com
- Bofeng Logistics Yang Ming Booking Hotline: 130-7567-8958
- Email: info@zhbfwl.com