The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has designated the Chinese-Polish Joint Stock Shipping Company, commonly known as Chipolbrok, as a controlled carrier of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The decision places the company under closer scrutiny by US authorities and adds it to the FMC’s Controlled Carrier List.
Chipolbrok, which operates out of Shanghai, is jointly owned by the governments of China and Poland.
However, following an in-depth review of the company’s ownership and management structure, the FMC found that the Chinese government has a greater degree of control over the company’s operations than the Polish side.
According to the Commission, this decision was based on various factors detailed in its official Notice of Determination.
This brings Chipolbrok under a category that includes ocean carriers that are either directly or indirectly owned or controlled by foreign governments and operate in US foreign trades.
These carriers are subject to increased regulatory supervision under US maritime law.
The Commission concluded that the Chinese government has a stronger influence on its corporate and commercial decisions.
The company has now joined a list of other controlled carriers that includes China-based Cosco Shipping Lines, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), Anji Shipping, and Hede (Hong Kong) International Shipping, along with South Korea’s HMM.
Established over 70 years ago, Chipolbrok is known for its specialisation in project cargo and break-bulk shipments.
The company started operations with just four secondhand ships and has since grown its fleet to 33 vessels with a combined carrying capacity of over 1.2 million deadweight tons (dwt).
In recent months, the shipping line has also expanded its newbuild portfolio. It has ordered two additional 61,250 dwt multipurpose and heavy-lift vessels from the Tai Xing class, expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2026.
Chipolbrok has also ordered two 38,000-dwt ships on order at Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries, with options to build two more vessels in the same category.
The Controlled Carrier List maintained by the FMC is not an exhaustive record of all foreign-owned or government-linked companies.
Instead, it includes only vessel-operating common carriers that meet specific conditions under 46 U.S.C. Chapter 407.
Companies that do not operate vessels, such as freight forwarders or marine terminal operators, are not covered under this list, even if they are government-controlled or do business in the US.
