Beijing has officially announced on Monday the appointment of Xu Lirong, current chairman of China Shipping Group (CSG), as the new chairman for the merged entity of CSG and China Cosco Group.

The merger of Cosco and CSG was confirmed by Beijing in December last year, and the deal is expected to create several units focusing on distinct business areas such as container shipping, dry bulk shipping, ports and terminals, among others.

China’s State-Owned Asset Supervision and Adminstration Commission said Cosco and CSG will become a new entity after the merger, and will be led by Xu.

Xu had formerly came from Cosco where he held several positions, including his last appointment as chairman of Cosco Pacific from 2010 to 2012. He joined CSG in 2011 as president.