Capt. Wei Jiafu Named Connecticut Maritime Association 2009 Commodore

Award to be presented March 25, 2009 at the conclusion of the CMA’s Shipping 2009 Annual Conference and Exposition

Capt. Wei Jiafu, president and CEO of China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO) has been named as the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) Commodore for the year 2009.

Capt. Wei follows a long succession of influential maritime industry leaders as Commodore. The Award will be presented to Capt. Wei on March 25, 2009 at the Gala Dinner marking the conclusion of the annual Connecticut Maritime Association conference and trade exposition.

The Award is given each year to a person in the international maritime industry who has contributed to the growth and development of the industry.

Capt. Wei Jiafu, president and CEO of COSCO Group assumed his position in November 1998. Prior to that, he had been the senior executive in many subsidiaries of COSCO both at home and abroad. He had supervised COSCO's asset operations and management. During his tenure as the president of COSCO (Singapore) Ltd., he had managed to turn it into a public listed company in 1993, marking COSCO's first entrance into the international capital markets.

With over ten years of seafaring experience and as a well-experienced captain, Capt. Wei has a rich knowledge in international shipping management and operation. He is a senior engineer with a Doctorate in Ship and Ocean Structural Design and Manufacture and a Master’s Degree in Shipping.

Beth Wilson-Jordan, president of the CMA, upon making the announcement stated, "Today, as the world deals with unprecedented economic and trade challenges, the CMA is delighted to have as our Commodore someone actively involved in the growth and development of world trade. With the Board's choice this year of Capt. Wei we continue the tradition of recognizing excellence. It will be an honor to have the leader of one of the world’s largest shipping companies accept the CMA Award”.

Former CMA Commodores include: Ole Skaarup, Jacob Stolt-Nielsen, George Livanos, Phil Loree, Thomas Moran, Gregory Hadjieleftheriadis, Helmut Sohmen, Gerhard Kurz, William O’Neil, Richard du Moulin, Per Heidenreich, Mark Saverys, Frank Tsao, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Peter Georgiopoulos, C. Sean Day, Torben Jensen, Morten Arntzen and John Fredriksen.

The 2009 Commodore Award will be presented to Capt. Wei at the March 25 Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut.

About COSCO - Founded on April 27, 1961 as the pioneer of international shipping in China, together with the re-construction of national transportation resources on February 16, 1993, China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO) has grown into a $17 billion corporation by clearly focusing on the goal of enabling commerce around the globe. Today, COSCO has developed into a diversified service giant taking shipping and modern logistics as its core businesses. It is the largest shipping company in China and is regarded as one of the leading logistics providers in the world with a well recognized and admired brand name.

COSCO Group now owns and operates more than 800 modern merchant ships with a total carrying capacity of up to 55 million DWT, and its annual handling cargo volume reaches 416 million tons. It has ranked first in the international bulk shipping sector for years and is also listed as one of the Top 10 container liner operators in the world. Ships and containers with the conspicuous "COSCO" logo are shuttling among 1,300 ports in more than 160 countries and regions. The active involvement of COSCO in the international trades guarantees a healthy and sustainable operation of global supply chain networks.

For more information on CMA Shipping 2009 and press inquiries please contact: Lorraine Parsons, Event Director, Connecticut Maritime Association -Tel: +1.203.406.0109 Ext 3717 Fax: +1.203.406.0110 Email: [email protected] Web: www.shipping2009.com