The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has classified the Chinese-Polish shipping company Chipolbrok as a transport company controlled by China.
The company, which has a fleet of 31 MPP freighters, is a joint venture between Polish and Chinese owners headquartered in Shanghai.
Following a review of the company’s ownership structure, the FMC said it concluded that the PRC government exercises more control over Chipolbrok’s corporate structure and commercial activities than its Polish partner.
According to the FMC, controlled transportation companies are ocean carriers engaged in foreign commerce in the United States that are directly or indirectly owned by a foreign government or whose operating assets are directly or indirectly controlled by a foreign government. Controlled carriers are subject to enhanced oversight by the FMC.
Chipolbrok expands in the Middle East
Chipolbrok was founded in 1951. The current fleet comprises 33 ships with a total of 1.2 million tdw. These include ten so-called “Orkan” types of 30,300 tdw each and four “Pacific” types (31,600 tdw). Newbuildings are also in demand – even in the even larger segment beyond the 60,000 tdw mark.
The shipping company recently opened an office in Dubai in order to gain a stronger foothold in the Asian market. The new branch is to serve as a regional hub for activities in the Middle East, Africa (MEA) and on the Indian subcontinent.
At the helm are two experienced professionals: Marek Rzepiak, former Commercial Director of Chipolbrok’s Shanghai office and Deputy Shipping Director at Hongfa Shipping, and Jacob Xu, a long-time Hongfa Shipping employee who most recently represented the company in Australia.
