A Sinotrans Shipping Ltd. dry-bulk vessel is seen in this undated photo handed out by the company. Sinotrans Shipping plans to expand its fleet as China’s surging imports of coal and iron ore caused dry-bulk shipping rates to double in the past year. --Bloomberg

HONG KONG—China National Foreign Trade Transportation (Group) Corp., also known as Sinotrans Group, and China Changjiang National Shipping Group Corp. are likely to combine, the South China Morning Post said, citing Zhang Jianwei, executive director of Sinotrans Ltd., a Hong Kong-listed unit of Sinotrans Group.

The chances of a merger between the two state-controlled companies are more than 50 percent, the report said, citing Zhang. The move would be in line with the government’s drive to reduce the number of major state-owned companies to 100 from 150, the Hong Kong newspaper said, citing Zhang.

The businesses compliment each other as Changjiang Shipping specializes in Yangtze River and tanker services, whereas Sinotrans Group is focused on logistics and coastal transport, the report said.

Sinotrans Ltd. is DHL’s China partner. Sinotrans Group also controls Hong Kong-listed bulk shipper Sinotrans Shipping Ltd. Bloomberg

Eperformax won’t touch needs of shipping firms

CALL-center operator Eperformax Contact Centers, an affiliate of one of the country’s largest shipping firms owned by the Delgados, said it is not interested in diversifying its operations and serve the logistical needs of various foreign and local shipping firms, and would instead focus on its core business.

HONG KONG—China National Foreign Trade Transportation (Group) Corp., also known as Sinotrans Group, and China Changjiang National Shipping Group Corp. are likely to combine, the South China Morning Post said, citing Zhang Jianwei, executive director of Sinotrans Ltd., a Hong Kong-listed unit of Sinotrans Group.

SINGAPORE—Neptune Orient Lines Ltd., Southeast Asia’s largest container-shipping company, rose to the highest in almost five months in Singapore trading after first-quarter profit almost tripled on higher freight rates and cargo volume.

PORT HEDLAND—Fortescue Metals Group Ltd., run by Australia’s richest man Andrew Forrest, began loading the first iron ore from its A$2.8-billion ($2.6 billion) Pilbara project for shipment from Western Australia’s Port Hedland to China.

DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics company, has launched Gogreen Express, an environment-friendly service that reduces the transportation emissions of shipments in the Asia- Pacific region.