On 7 January 2025, the US Department of Defense updated its list of Chinese companies deemed “military-linked, meaning they are linked in some capacity to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). First established in 2021, the list is updated annually, with a portion made public. While the majority of companies featured in the 2025 update operate within the industrial and information technology sectors, this year’s list includes firms from the transport and logistics industries.
Notable additions include major subsidiaries of the Cosco Group, such as Cosco Shipping Corporation Limited, Cosco Shipping North America, and Cosco Shipping Finance. The list also includes shipyards and even container manufacturers. Among the shipyards is China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, the world’s largest shipbuilding conglomerate. In container manufacturing, the update highlights China International Marine Containers (CIMC), of which Cosco owns a 22.75% stake. CIMC, a group overseeing around 300 companies globally and employing approximately 80,000 people, has been the leading container manufacturer since 1996, producing 40% of the world’s containers.
Also added to the list is Sinotrans, one of China’s foremost logistics operators, offering integrated services that span all modes of transport, shipping, storage, and terminal management. The company also operates rail freight services between China and Europe. The update includes an air freight operator as well: China Cargo Airlines, a Shanghai-based carrier with a fleet of 14 Boeing B777Fs. Conversely, China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), a railway builder, was removed from the list.
Being blacklisted by the US Department of Defense carries no direct consequences, but it may deter American companies from engaging in business with the named entities. The implications for Cosco remain uncertain, as the company is expected to continue its operations at US ports. In response, Cosco denied any links to the Chinese military and asserted that its inclusion on the list would not affect its services or routes. The company also accused the US of “abusing export control measures.” Over the past year, one-fifth of Cosco's vessels called at US ports.
