COSCO calls US espionage allegations 'groundless'

China COSCO Shipping Corp, the country's largest shipping group by both fleet size and revenue, has rejected claims by unnamed United States officials that its vessels carry so-called concealed equipment to intercept military communications and collect intelligence, saying the allegations are groundless.

"There is no factual basis for these claims, and we firmly oppose them," the Shanghai-based State-owned enterprise said in a statement on Thursday.

The company said it has consistently operated in accordance with international, market-oriented and compliance-based practices, and remains committed to providing reliable and efficient shipping and logistics services to customers worldwide.

All communication, navigation, safety and operational equipment aboard its vessels is used solely for normal commercial operations, including navigational safety, ship-to-shore communications and emergency response, the company said. None of the equipment is used to intercept military communications or collect intelligence, it added.

The Chinese shipping giant said it firmly opposes the use of false information to damage its reputation or disrupt its international operations, and reserves the right to take legal action to protect its corporate reputation.