September 26

Shanghai Universal,

a subsidiary of COSCO SHIPPING Development,

celebrated a major milestone

with the official rollout of its 10 millionth TEU container.

More than 400 guests

attended the ceremony,

and witnessed this historic moment for China’s manufacturing industry.

What does 10 million TEUs represent?

If placed end to end,

these containers would form a “manufacturing dragon”

stretching 60,580 kilometers—

enough to circle the Earth’s equator 1.5 times.

Unfolded,

they would cover 735.6 square kilometers,

equal to 12.9 Shanghai Pudong International Airports.

Behind these numbers

lies Shanghai Universal’s 20-year

pursuit of technological progress and intelligent manufacturing,

an emblem of China’s evolution

from “traditional” to “smart” industry.

2025 Qidong

From its start in 2005

to 10 million TEUs today

Today,

let’s take a closer look at

Shanghai Universal’s 20-year journey of evolution in container manufacturing

→→→→→→→→

The Journey Begins (2005–2010)

Charting New Waters with “Eastern Speed”

In 2005, COSCO SHIPPING Group reached a major milestone in its strategic expansion with the launch of its first container manufacturing plant in Lianyungang. From its establishment in March to the start of production in August—and turning a profit before the year’s end—the Lianyungang Container Factory delivered what became known as “Eastern Speed”: achieving setup, production, and profitability all within a single year. This marked the start of Shanghai Universal’s pioneering journey in container manufacturing. Soon after, the Jinzhou and Guangzhou container factories were brought into the fold, forming an early three-site collaborative development model. At the time, global shipping was booming, and containers—often called the “mobile gateways of nations”—were taking center stage in driving world trade forward.

In 2008, Shanghai Universal’s headquarters were established to strengthen the Group’s container self-sufficiency and ensure stable support for global shipping operations. Over its first five years, the company built a complete production system, developed core manufacturing technologies, and cultivated its first generation of skilled industrial workers—laying the foundation for long-term growth. Even in these early years, a commitment to excellence ran deep among every employee, creating a strong foundation for the company’s future growth and breakthrough development.

Prosperous Growth (2011–2015)

Advancing Technology to Build Better Containers

As the new five-year period began, Shanghai Universal accelerated its pace of development. In 2011, Shanghai Universal’s one-millionth TEU container rolled off the production line at the Lianyungang factory, officially entering the “million-TEU” production era.

Over the five years, global demand for containers has continued to grow, and Shanghai Universal has steadily expanded its production capacity while refining its management systems. This period has also been a turning point for technological innovation. In response to stricter international environmental standards and higher customer expectations, the company has implemented comprehensive equipment upgrades and process improvements. Automation in welding has increased significantly, painting lines have been modernized and enclosed, and both production efficiency and product consistency have seen substantial gains.

In 2015, the 2 millionth TEU container rolled off the production line at Jinzhou Container Factory, representing not just a major increase in output but also a clear demonstration of the company’s enhanced manufacturing capabilities. By this milestone, Shanghai Universal had progressed from simply producing containers to consistently delivering high-quality containers, establishing itself as a key manufacturing pillar within COSCO SHIPPING Group’s shipping operations.

Riding the Momentum (2016–2020)

Laying the Foundation for High-Quality Growth

The 2016 restructuring of COSCO SHIPPING Group brought new opportunities for Shanghai Universal as the Group’s core container manufacturing platform. Guided by the vision of becoming a world-class shipping technology enterprise, the Universal team strengthened its mission and focus. By closely aligning with the container needs of COSCO SHIPPING Group’s core business, they enhanced responsiveness and support capabilities, fully committing to the development of the Group’s key operations.

In 2019, Shanghai Universal achieved a major breakthrough by acquiring three high-quality container factories, significantly boosting production capacity and elevating the company to second place in the industry. This strategic expansion established a nationwide footprint covering East, South, North, and Northeast China. This strategic integration not only strengthened Shanghai Universal’s ability to allocate resources across the market but also promoted the unification and upgrading of corporate culture, management standards, and technical processes, generating strong synergy for future growth.

At the same time, Shanghai Universal has taken a leadership role in green transformation and smart manufacturing. The company fully implemented its “oil-to-water” project, replacing traditional solvent-based coatings with eco-friendly water-based paints, significantly reducing VOC emissions. In parallel, it introduced digital workshops and the MES (Manufacturing Execution System), enabling real-time visual management of production processes. These initiatives have embedded sustainability and digital intelligence into the company’s operations, laying a solid foundation for the shift toward intelligent, low-carbon manufacturing.

United in Purpose (2021–2025)

Setting a New Standard in Green and Intelligent Manufacturing

Since the launch of the 14th Five-Year Plan, Shanghai Universal has focused on two key priorities: green, low-carbon development and digital, intelligent manufacturing, opening a new chapter of high-quality growth. In 2021, the company celebrated a major milestone with the production of its 5 millionth TEU container at the Qidong Container Factory. Since then, Shanghai Universal has introduced a series of groundbreaking innovations:

In green manufacturing, the company launched the industry’s first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) platform in 2022, providing transparent, full-lifecycle carbon footprint data for container products and setting a new standard for sustainability in the industry. Multiple factories in Qidong, Ningbo, and Qingdao have since received national “Green Factory” certifications, while Shanghai Universal’s green container manufacturing system has continued to evolve, establishing the company as a pioneer in low-carbon manufacturing.

In smart manufacturing, Shanghai Universal has also emerged as an industry leader. The Qingdao and Ningbo Container Factories have both achieved national 5G factory certification, enabling full-process 5G network coverage and real-time data integration. In September 2024, the Ningbo Factory passed the Level 3 Smart Manufacturing Capability Maturity Assessment, becoming one of the first container manufacturers to earn this distinction. In 2025, it was further recognized in the “2025 5G Factory” directory and named a National Exemplary Smart Factory, marking another first for the sector. These accomplishments underscore Shanghai Universal’s leading-edge intelligent manufacturing capabilities and its position at the forefront of the container industry.

Smart Manufacturing Future (2025–?)

Charting a New Course into the “Blue Ocean”

From 2005 to 2025, two decades of relentless effort have propelled Shanghai Universal from traditional manufacturing to smart manufacturing, while achieving significant results in green and low-carbon initiatives, digital transformation, and corporate social responsibility. At the milestone of 10 million TEUs, Shanghai Universal has outlined a clear strategy focused on high-end, intelligent, and sustainable development, positioning the company to meet the challenges and opportunities of a new era.

The milestone of 10 million TEUs represents a journey, a legacy of dedication, and a bold step forward for COSCO SHIPPING, with renewed determination for the future. Shanghai Universal will continue advancing along the path of craftsmanship and intelligent manufacturing, actively supporting the Group’s green shipping strategy. Containers marked with “Made in China” and “Chinese Innovation” will carry the mission of driving global trade forward, sailing confidently into the vast blue ocean.