COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers has signed a 10-year contract of affreightment with Chinese automaker DFSK, securing a long-term partnership to transport vehicles to international markets.
The agreement was signed with Chongqing Xiaokang Import & Export, DFSK’s export arm, according to a report published by Splash247 on October 15, 2026. The deal is expected to strengthen cooperation between the shipping company and the automaker as Chinese vehicle exports continue to expand.
Under the agreement, the companies intend to increase shipping volumes, allocate vessel capacity and develop global shipping routes to support DFSK’s overseas vehicle distribution. However, the companies have not disclosed the annual cargo commitment, freight rates, specific routes, vessel allocations, contract commencement date or total financial value.
DFSK operates under Seres Group and has exported more than 600,000 vehicles, establishing a presence in over 70 countries and regions. Its international expansion highlights the growing demand for reliable maritime transport and integrated logistics services for Chinese automotive manufacturers.
The agreement comes amid strong growth in China’s automotive exports, which is driving demand for specialised pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). Shipping companies are expanding their vehicle-carrying capacity and developing additional transport options to accommodate rising volumes and longer international trade routes.
COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers has also been using container ships and multipurpose vessels to move vehicles overseas, complementing dedicated car-carrier services. In August 2026, the company reported completing three shipments that transported 13,052 Chery vehicles from Taicang Port to Europe through containerised logistics.
The new ten-year agreement with DFSK provides a longer-term framework for coordinating vehicle shipments and shipping capacity. While the financial and operational details remain undisclosed, the partnership reflects the increasing importance of shipping companies in supporting China’s expanding automotive export supply chains.