Yangming Customer Service: Expert Guide for Shippers and Forwarders

Company profile and service footprint

Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (commonly “Yang Ming”) is a major global container carrier headquartered in Keelung, Taiwan, with a continuous operating history since its founding in 1972. The company maintains a worldwide agency and office network covering Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and Oceania. For corporate and digital resources, the primary portal is https://www.yangming.com where customers access e-service, Tariff notices and local office directories.

Operational capacity and route coverage have varied with the market; Yang Ming operates dozens of scheduled liner services and partners in vessel-sharing alliances to deliver weekly or more frequent strings on the major east-west trades. For contract and procurement planning, treat Yang Ming as a global top‑tier ocean carrier that offers both spot and long-term contract structures, intermodal inland options in major markets, and a full range of carrier-originated ancillary services (terminal handling, equipment repositioning, and documentation services).

Contact channels, SLAs and escalation

Yang Ming supports a multi-channel customer service model: online self-service (bookings, track & trace and tariff lookups), local sales/service offices, e-mail contact points, and phone hotlines for urgent operational issues. Typical industry service-level expectations to require in the SLA: initial acknowledgement within 24 business hours, next-step action within 72 hours for operational queries, and formal claim acknowledgement within 5–10 business days. Always confirm and document the SLA in writing when negotiating account terms.

Escalation paths should be mapped before an issue arises. Start with the local customer service representative, then a regional operations supervisor, and finally the carrier’s claims or commercial manager if required. For urgent port stagnation, vessel delay or equipment shortages, request a named escalation contact and expected time-to-resolution (example: “weekend emergency contact available by phone between 08:00–20:00 local time; target resolution 24–72 hours”).

• When contacting Yang Ming include: booking number, bill of lading number, container number(s), voyage/vessel name, pickup/delivery locations, dates, commodity and weight, photos (if damage), contact person and phone — this accelerates routing to the correct team.
• For time-sensitive problems (port cut-offs, missed windows, VGM issues) state the exact deadline in the first message and request written confirmation of any operational waivers or changes.

Booking, documentation and cargo tracking

Bookings can be made through Yang Ming’s e-service portal or via local sales/agency channels. Lead times for export bookings depend on trade lane and vessel rotation: a conservative planning window is 3–7 days for mainstream east‑west sailings and 10–21 days for niche or inland-connected services. Always confirm the carrier’s cargo cut-off and gate‑in deadlines — typical container cut-offs run from 48 to 72 hours before the vessel’s estimated time of departure (ETD) at load port.

Required documentation includes a validated booking confirmation, commercial invoice, packing list, any required certificates (phytosanitary, fumigation), and the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) declared per SOLAS (2016). Yang Ming accepts different B/L instruments (original paper B/L, telex/telex release, sea waybill and electronic B/L where enabled). Clarify release fees and timelines up front: telex-release or express release fees typically range from $20 to $150 depending on port and office, while e‑B/L options can shorten consignee release processing times.

Port operations, demurrage, detention and tariff factors

Yang Ming’s detention and demurrage (D&D) rules are published regionally in local Tariff notices and vary significantly by port, terminal operator and container type. Typical free time allowances are in the range of 3–7 calendar days for imports (at terminal) and 5–10 days for export equipment usage, but these are highly location-specific. Demurrage starts accruing after free time at the terminal lapses; detention billing begins from the day the full/empty container is released to the shipper/consignee.

Avoiding D&D requires operational discipline: plan inland pickup/return schedules, pre-clear customs and present paperwork before the free-time window closes. If operational exceptions arise (vessel delay, terminal congestion), request a written waiver or mitigation from Yang Ming and your trucker to prevent accrual; retrospective waivers are rare and should not be relied upon.

• Common fees and indicative ranges (examples, vary by port and year): Terminal Handling Charge (THC) $80–$400/TEU; Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) $100–$1,000/FEU at extreme peaks; detention/demurrage $50–$300/day per 20’ container in many major markets. Always check the local Tariff for exact, current figures.

Claims, insurance and regulatory compliance

For cargo loss, damage or shortage, immediate notification to Yang Ming’s local office is critical. Industry best practice: note visible damage at delivery on the delivery receipt, retain all packaging, take timestamped photos, and request a carrier survey. Yang Ming will route the case to its claims department and may require a joint survey with local agents or independent surveyors depending on the situation.

Documentation to support a claim typically includes: Bill of Lading, original commercial invoice, packing list, proof of delivery with notations, survey report, repair/replacement invoices, and correspondence trail. Settlement timelines vary; expect an initial acknowledgement within 5–10 business days and investigation/resolution within 30–180 days depending on complexity. Insure high‑value shipments: maintain a cargo insurance policy (Institute Cargo Clauses or equivalent) and verify subrogation/waiver rules in the contract of carriage.

Commercial contracting, rates and practical negotiating tips

Yang Ming offers both spot and contract rate structures. Contract terms are commonly 6 to 12 months with volume commitments; carriers typically grant discounts in proportion to committed TEUs, regularity of shipments and payment performance. In volatile markets you can negotiate flexibility clauses (routing options, PSS triggers, volume roll‑over) — insist on explicit definitions so adjustments are transparent when surcharges are applied.

To secure the best commercial outcome: aggregate volume where possible, offer flexible transit windows, commit to a minimum annual TEU, and consolidate lanes to show predictable flow. Request clear tariff sheets for all surcharges, a published detention/demurrage schedule, and named contacts for operational and commercial escalation. Regular quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with Yang Ming local account managers help maintain service levels and control unexpected costs.

How do I contact Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation?

Yang Ming Marine Transport contact info: Phone number: +886 227338000 Website: www.yangming.com What does Yang Ming Marine Transport do?

How do I contact marine assist?

877-662-2555
MARINE ASSIST is a 24/7 on water boat towing service. Call 877-662-2555 for service.

Who is the CEO of Yang Ming?

Mr. Cheng Cheng-Mount
September, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) has elected Mr. Cheng Cheng-Mount to succeed Mr. Hsieh Chih-Chien as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer with effect from October 1st, 2020. Chairman Cheng Cheng-Mount earned his Master’s degree in Economics from University of Wisconsin-Madison.

What does Yang Ming stand for?

Yang Ming is a translation of the first two characters of our Chinese name, which is also the name of a well-known Chinese philosopher, 王陽明 (Wang Yang-ming, 1472-1529). The tenet of Wang’s philosophy is the linking of knowing and doing. In Chinese, 陽is the sun, 明is brightness, or integrity.

How do I contact RTOL?

Phone: 091 872950 Lo-call: LoCall 076 100 1601 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rtol.ie Our public office is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Is Yang Ming a Chinese company?

Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation is a publicly listed company with a minority stake held by the state company headquartered in Taiwan, China. In 2021 its revenue was USD 13.65 billion.