COSCO’s one of the top four containership operators in the world and COSCO (North America) is among the top ocean carriers calling at North American ports. But as James Houghtalin, Executive Vice President, of COSCO SHIPPING Lines (North America) explains COSCO (North America) has invested in diversifying their services in the Americas.
AJOT: Although COSCO SHIPPING (North America) is among the most recognized international ocean carriers calling in North America, the scale coverage can be overlooked. Approximately, how many services does COSCO have calling in North America? How many services does COSCO offer worldwide?
AJOT: Early this year COSCO announced the launch of the OCEAN Alliance DAY10 Product for 2026. Could you provide a little background on COSCO and the OCEAN Alliance network and what the Day10 Product for 2026 means for shippers?
Houghtalin: COSCO SHIPPING Lines has been a founding member of the OCEAN Alliance since its formation in April 2016, alongside CMA CGM, Evergreen Line, and Orient Overseas Container Line. The Alliance enables its members to provide customers with broad geographic coverage, frequent departures, direct port calls, and flexible routing options across major global trade lanes. Over the past decade, the Alliance has significantly expanded its network.
The 2026 OCEAN Alliance DAY10 Product includes 42 trade loops and more than 510 direct port-to-port connections, supported by more than 5.3 million TEU of alliance capacity. The network connects major manufacturing and export hubs across China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Northeast Asia with key markets in North America, Europe, and the Mediterranean. For the Trans-Pacific market specifically, COSCO SHIPPING Lines offers 22 direct services under the DAY10 Product. These include nine routes serving the U.S. Southwest Coast, five serving the Pacific Northwest, and eight connecting Asia with the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast. The services call at major gateways including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Seattle, New York/New Jersey, Norfolk, Savannah, Charleston, and Houston. For shippers, the DAY10 Product is about providing greater network depth, routing flexibility, and resilience. Recent enhancements have strengthened direct connectivity between Southeast Asia and North America and expanded routing options through Yangpu Port in Hainan Province. This is particularly relevant as companies continue to diversify sourcing and manufacturing across Asia. The result is a broader range of service options that can help shippers adapt their supply chains while maintaining access to key North American markets.
AJOT: Beyond ocean carriage, COSCO SHIPPING (North America) has invested in expanding its integrated logistics capabilities in North and Central America. When did this strategic initiative begin and what was the motivation behind expanding into supply chain operations beyond just ocean carriage? What are some of the specific logistics segments in which COSCO SHIPPING North America has invested—for example, does this expansion include warehousing and trucking (drayage, chassis, intermodal, etc.) services? Does the movement of perishables (temperature-controlled logistics) also fall under this initiative?
Houghtalin: Over the years, COSCO SHIPPING North America has established a stable and diversified presence across the region and developed into an integrated end-to-end supply chain service provider, building on the strength of its ocean shipping network. Leveraging COSCO SHIPPING’s global shipping resources and integrated supply chain platform, the Company provides comprehensive logistics solutions across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Panama. Its services span ocean freight, inland transportation, customs brokerage, warehousing, e-commerce fulfillment, and final-mile delivery. In the United States, the Company operates an asset-based trucking network from key logistics hubs, including Los Angeles/Long Beach, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Charleston, Savannah, and Atlanta. The network provides port and rail drayage services with coverage extending into key inland markets, along with bonded and 24/7 transportation capabilities to meet diverse customer needs. The Company also operates more than 700,000 square feet of non-bonded warehouse space across key U.S. logistics hubs, including Charleston, Savannah, Chicago, Fort Worth, Houston, and Tuscaloosa. Its warehousing services include distribution, general cargo handling, transloading, and fulfillment, supported by both in-house capabilities and established local partners. For cross-border e-commerce customers, particularly those handling medium- and large-sized products, the Company provides integrated logistics solutions supported by an established overseas warehouse network. The network connects major ports in China and Southeast Asia with key US gateway markets, including Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York, Houston, Chicago, and Savannah. As both a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) and freight forwarder, COSCO SHIPPING North America leverages its network of offices, trucking operations, warehouse facilities, and local service partners, together with close cooperation with all six Class I railroads and leading intermodal providers, to connect major ports and inland markets across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Panama.
Supported by digital logistics systems and a professional, multilingual team, COSCO SHIPPING North America provides efficient, transparent, and reliable supply chain solutions to customers across industries including retail, building materials, healthcare, and chemical raw materials.
AJOT: It was mentioned earlier that COSCO was also investing in supply chain operations in Central America and, in April, COSCO announced a chassis investment project in Honduras. Could you give us an overview of the Honduras investment and how it fits into the overall supply chain? Are there any other countries or regions that have similar non-ocean supply chain investments, and are more investments planned for the future?
Houghtalin: The Honduras chassis project is an example of how COSCO SHIPPING North America is expanding beyond ocean transportation to strengthen inland logistics and end-to-end supply chain capabilities across Central America. In April 2026, the Company delivered 30 chassis units to Puerto Cortés, Honduras, through its North America Supply Chain Operations Platform. The investment is intended to address a shortage of chassis equipment in the local market, improve the efficiency of cargo movement between the port and inland destinations, and strengthen COSCO SHIPPING’s trucking and integrated supply chain capabilities in Honduras. More broadly, the project supports the Company’s strategy of building localized logistics capabilities across the region. It is designed to work alongside existing feeder services and local distribution networks, improving service stability, responsiveness, and end-to-end execution. The Company is also expanding its integrated warehousing and distribution capabilities. On June 1, 2026, the joint venture warehouse between COSCO SHIPPING and WESTERN POST officially commenced operations, strengthening the Company’s cross-border e-commerce fulfillment capabilities by integrating ocean freight, warehousing, order fulfillment, and last-mile delivery. Located approximately eight miles from the Port of Savannah, the facility provides integrated services for B2B and B2C customers and further strengthens COSCO SHIPPING’s ability to provide end-to-end supply chain solutions beyond ocean transportation.
