Sino-Japan International Ferry Co., Ltd. was established as a joint venture between China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company and Japan-Sino International Ferry Co., Ltd. on May 30, 1985. The total investment was 5 million U.S. dollars and its registered capital was 2.4 million U.S. dollars, with each side subscribing for half the shares. The passenger and cargo ship Jianzhen was put into operation, providing services connecting China and Japan for international cargos and passengers. The company is a Chinese corporation and its ships fly the Chinese flag. Jianzhen is a weekly ship that stops in Shanghai-Kobe/Osaka/Yokohama. It was the first regular cargo and passenger ship between China and Japan after normal diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored.

As passenger and cargo traffic increased, the company added an investment of 51 million U.S. dollars, increased the registered capital to 18.86 million U.S. dollars and extended the contract by ten years under the authorization of the Ministry of Communications, the former Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, and China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company. A new, luxurious ship Jianzhen -- was built in Japan to replace the old one in April 1994, continuing to serve the route between Shanghai/Osaka/Kobe.

The company persistently pursues safety, punctuality, and a "Customer First" attitude in the services it offers. With a guaranteed safe, fast and punctual running of the old and new Jianzhen, the company has gradually built up its brand and reputation.

In the 21st century, all the staff of the company will work even harder for Chinese and Japanese shipping and for friendly private exchanges between the Chinese and Japanese peoples.