Evergreen Group began with the establishment of Evergreen Marine Corporation (EMC) by Dr. Yung-Fa Chang on 1 September 1968. From humble beginnings operating just one secondhand general cargo vessel, Evergreen has grown throughout its history to gain many outstanding achievements. It is now one of the leading international shipping companies in terms of its fleet operations, service quality and innovative shipbuilding concepts. Responding to the then current trends in liner shipping, Evergreen launched its first full container service in 1975, connecting the Far East and the US East Coast. This service was implemented successfully in spite of the negative effects an oil crisis on the world economy and in turn the shipping industry that occurred at the time. In 1984, EMC made another pioneering move with the launch of a two-way Round-the-World container service. As a result of this innovative move, Evergreen became the world's largest container shipping company in 1985. The impetus given to Evergreen's growth has since continued and a comprehensive service network covering all major ports around the world, has since been built. To ensure the safe navigation of its vessels, minimizing both accidents and pollution of the world's oceans, Evergreen established the Evergreen Seafarer Training Center (ESTC) in 1999. One of the world's most sophisticated maritime training facilities, the Center provides training of the highest quality for seafarers who serve in Evergreen's fleet. Such training's primary aims are to ensure the safety of crew, cargo and vessels. In June 2001 ESTC became the first training center in Taiwan to be awarded the ISO-9001:2000 certificate by DNV (Det Norske Veritas). In 2013, it received certification for a number of new courses from ClassNK, the Japanese Classification Society. In recognition of its efforts in this arena, Evergreen was awarded the Lloyd's List Maritime Excellence Award for Commitment to Training and Education in 2003 and the Training Award in this prestigious maritime publication's Asia Awards 2014. Guided by the vision of Dr. Chang, Evergreen's vessels are compliant with the company's stringent environmental policy. Delivered from 2005, Evergreen's 7,024 TEU S-type container ships have eco-friendly designs incorporating such features as double-skin hulls, well-protected fuel tank layout and alternative maritime power, etc. These innovative features were intended to surpass the global environmental standards then in place. Ever Superb, the fifth in Evergreen's S-type container vessels, was named Ship of the Year 2006 by Lloyd's List. In an initiative designed so as customers around the world could better identify with the companies' network of services, EMC and sister shipping companies Evergreen Marine (UK) Ltd, Italia Marittima SpA, Evergreen Marine (Hong Kong) Ltd and Evergreen Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd adopted the unified common trading name 'Evergreen Line' in 2007. Since then, Evergreen Line has actively cooperated with strategic partners through alliances, joint services and slot swap arrangements to provide a wider range of service options to its customers. Evergreen has always been at the forefront in the development of a sustainable global container transportation system. "We recognize the obligation we have to conduct our operation as a constructive corporate member of the global society," Evergreen Group Chairman Dr. Chang said. "We will not wait for legislation to be introduced. We will use the latest technology as soon as it is available so as to minimize the impact of container shipping operations on marine life, port communities and humanity worldwide." As such Evergreen took advantage of the most advanced shipbuilding technologies to enhance the environmental protection capability of its 8,500 TEU L-type container ships, the delivery program of which commenced in 2012. In addition to the eco-friendly features available on the S-type ships, the L-type vessels are designed with an optimized hull profile to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Evergreen Line has also embraced e-commerce as an essential element of a comprehensive transportation service and works hard to keep its integrated information system at the forefront of technological advancement. The line's user-friendly e-commerce system "ShipmentLink" enables customers to quickly search sailing schedules and track the movements of their shipments on the internet. Continuing its efforts to provide quality service, Evergreen has launched "ShipmentLink Mobile", an application of its e-commerce system available on handheld devices. The service makes it easier for cargo owners to update the latest shipping information wherever and whenever they want. Evergreen is committed to serving world trade by providing the most efficient transportation services. To help achieve this goal and to strengthen its operational efficiency, Evergreen has set up transshipment hubs in key geographic locations within its service network. Examples of these projects include container terminals in Kaohsiung, Taipei Harbor in Taiwan and Colon in Panama. These investments enable Evergreen to significantly increase the cargo handling efficiency at the terminals and reduce operation costs.