The Department for Transport has refused to disclose which UK port facilities are used by Cosco Shipping, citing potential harm to UK interests.
The response followed a Freedom of Information request seeking documents identifying sites where the Chinese state-owned company has a physical presence, including warehouses and other facilities.
The DfT said it held relevant information but that it was exempt from release under sections 27(1)(a) and 27(1)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
It stated: “The Department holds information that is relevant to your request, but it is exempt from disclosure. The exemption that applies is section 27(1)(a) and 27(1)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 because release of the information would likely harm UK interests.”
Cosco facilities
Cosco is the trading name of China Cosco Shipping Corporation Limited, which is owned by the Chinese government. The company publicly lists a port office at Felixstowe, as well as a head office, warehouses and a construction yard in Essex.
A May 2024 announcement on the Multimodal logistics event website said Cosco Shipping Crystal Logistics (UK) had opened an 11,000 sq m flagship warehouse at London Gateway Freeport.
The announcement said Cosco Shipping UK was involved in container ship owning, liner agency services, warehousing, distribution, customs clearance and supply chain management in Britain.
DP World operates the London Gateway Logistics Park, which is within the Thames Freeport and next to the operational port. DP World describes the 224ha site as the UK’s only operational port-centric freeport.
US surveillance allegations
Reuters reported in September, citing two senior US government officials, that Cosco had been accused of helping Beijing collect intelligence on military communications in countries including the US. The allegation has not been established in the DfT’s response.
Reuters also reported on 7 October that the German government had blocked the proposed sale of logistics company Zippel to Cosco over security concerns.
The DfT, Cosco Shipping and DP World were approached for comment.