OOIL said in a statement that current Executive Director and CEO Huang Xiaowen had retired and that Huang had confirmed there was no disagreement with the board. Hong Kong-listed OOIL operates containership brand OOCL and is part of the China Cosco Shipping group.

Chen, 47, takes over as Executive Director and CEO of OOIL from 25 October for a term of three years. He extensive experience in the communications business and joined China Cosco Shipping as Deputy General Manager and Party Committee member in November 2021.