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China’s LOGINK Shipping Data Platform Retreats Amid Pressure and Lawsuits
LOGINK was a Chinese computer system meant to help shipping groups share information.
China hoped it would work with ports and shipping systems in other countries.
But many of those international plans stopped or never grew very far.
The United States worried that China could use the system to learn about goods moving around the world.
LOGINK said it could not collect sensitive business information or constantly track cargo.
Officials in Japan and South Korea said the information shared with LOGINK was limited to ship schedules and cargo loading and unloading.
In China, the company behind the platform is facing many court claims over things including labor disputes and unpaid bills.
When Reuters visited its office building, it appeared empty.
LOGINK, a Chinese logistics data platform, aimed to connect information from ports, customs authorities and transport services.
Its international partnerships have stalled, including a data-sharing project and cooperation with Japan and South Korea.
The International Port Community Systems Association said LOGINK stopped paying dues and was no longer a member.
US officials and security experts warned that the platform could expose commercial or sensitive cargo information; LOGINK said it could not collect such information or continuously monitor global cargo.
In China, the company behind LOGINK’s Wenzhou hub faced at least 39 court claims totaling about $1.3 million, and its offices appeared inactive during a Reuters visit.
- Who
- LOGINK, a Chinese logistics information platform, and its international partners and critics.
- What
- LOGINK’s international partnerships stalled as the platform faced domestic legal claims and apparent operational difficulties.
- Where
- LOGINK’s hub in Wenzhou, China, and its former or proposed partnerships in Japan, South Korea, Europe and international maritime organizations.
- When
- The reported setbacks occurred mainly from 2022 through 2025; the Wenzhou court claims began in January 2024.
- Why
- The articles report US pressure over security concerns, but say Reuters could not establish why LOGINK’s operations and finances deteriorated.
Security concerns
Limited data-sharing claims
Risk of cargo data collection
Security concerns
US officials and security experts feared LOGINK could give Beijing access to non-public information about traded goods, volumes and prices, or help track sensitive military shipments.
Limited data-sharing claims
LOGINK official Li Zhao said the platform lacked the capacity to collect sensitive commercial information or continuously monitor global cargo movements.
Information shared with Asian partners
Security concerns
US policymakers warned that LOGINK’s international expansion could increase Chinese access to global maritime data.
Limited data-sharing claims
Officials in Japan and South Korea said their cooperation shared only vessel arrival and departure times and information on cargo loading and unloading, not cargo contents.
Key facts
- Platform
- LOGINK, formally the National Transportation and Logistics Public Information Platform.
- Original purpose
- To streamline logistics by sharing data from ports, customs authorities and transport services.
- International association
- LOGINK’s membership in the International Port Community Systems Association ended in 2024 after it stopped paying dues.
- Japan and South Korea
- Their ministries said shared information was limited to vessel arrival and departure times and cargo loading and unloading.
- Domestic court claims
- At least 39 claims against the commercial entity behind the Wenzhou hub since January 2024, totaling about $1.3 million.
- Website
- LOGINK’s website went offline around 2024; the latest available Wayback Machine scrape cited was from June 2024.
- European proposals
- Proposed data-sharing discussions with the ports of Sines and Rotterdam did not lead to significant outcomes or proceed beyond exploration.
Quotes
US State Department spokesperson
Spokesperson for the US State Department commenting on efforts to curb LOGINK’s use.
“We have prohibited its use across our own government and critical port infrastructure, and we urge allies and industry to take this threat with the same seriousness.”
theprint.in
Inga Morton
General manager of the International Port Community Systems Association, describing the data-sharing project.
“on hold and inactive”
theprint.in
Sources
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