-Executives from one of the world’s leading shipping companies present a scale model of the container ship *COSCO Shipping Denali*, interactive display panels, and the company’s official mascot.
-Alejandra Álvarez Anguiano, Senior Manager of Administration and HR—and the first Mexican woman to serve as a ship’s godmother for the company—leads the presentation alongside other executives.
With the aim of strengthening international cooperation ties, preserving maritime heritage, and bringing the high technology of modern shipping closer to the Mazatlán community, the Casa del Marino Museum hosted a significant donation from COSCO Shipping Lines Mexico, enriching the museum’s collection.
The formal ceremony was attended by Oscar García Osuna, Director General of the Mazatlán Municipal Institute of Culture, Tourism, and Art; Master Mariner Mario Velázquez Salazar, President of the Casa del Marino Board of Trustees; Master Mariner Carlos Enrique Angulo Hernández; and executives from COSCO Shipping Lines Mexico, led by Director General Feng Hua and Deputy Director Mei Jiawei.
During the ceremony, Master Mariner Mario Velázquez Salazar welcomed the shipping company officials and highlighted the historical and educational value of the donation, which includes interactive information panels with screens, the official corporate mascot, and a 1:250 scale model of the container ship *COSCO Shipping Denali*. “Today is a very special day. We are deeply grateful to COSCO Shipping for turning its attention to Mazatlán and this facility. This model is more than just a scale replica; it is a symbol of modern maritime trade, naval engineering, and the friendship between Mexico and China. Undoubtedly, it will inspire young people and children who dream of becoming captains, chief engineers, and naval engineers,” stated Velázquez Salazar.
The *COSCO Shipping Denali*—depicted in the scale model—is a maritime giant measuring 366 meters in length and 51 meters in beam, with a capacity of over 14,500 TEUs (containers). Built at the Shanghai Jiangnan shipyard, it joined the global fleet in 2018 as part of a new generation of eco-friendly, ultra-large vessels.
For her part, Alejandra Álvarez Anguiano, Senior Manager of Administration and Human Resources at COSCO Shipping Lines Mexico, shared the moving story behind the vessel with the audience, recounting how she was named in Shanghai as the first Mexican godmother of a ship in the Chinese firm’s global history.
“On June 13, 2018, at the shipyard in Shanghai, China—during the official handover ceremony for the *COSCO Shipping Denali*—I had the privilege of being named the ship’s first godmother, selected from among all the female employees of COSCO Shipping Lines worldwide. That day, I represented Mexico at a momentous event for our company, and I did so with great pride.” “This recognition symbolizes the trust and international collaboration that exist within our company and represents the close bond uniting China and Mexico through maritime trade. Today, the small-scale model we are donating to this museum carries this very story: the story of a vessel, a tradition, and a bond between two countries that continues to strengthen over time,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Mei Jiawei, Deputy Director of COSCO SHIPPING Lines Mexico, highlighted that the shipping company is headquartered in Shanghai, maintains a presence across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and Africa, and plays a fundamental role in international trade and global supply chains.
“This model represents much more than just naval engineering; it represents the historic bond between COSCO SHIPPING and Mexico. And why did we choose Mazatlán for this donation? This city, with its rich maritime tradition, is a natural meeting point between international maritime history and Mexican port culture. With this donation, we seek to preserve and share that history with new generations here at Casa del Marino,” he emphasized.
Maritime and cultural officials participated in the formal unveiling of the donated items: the unveiling of the ship model was led by Fu Hua and Mei Jiawei; the interactive display panels were presented by Alejandra Álvarez Anguiano and Brenda Valtierra de la Rosa, the firm’s legal manager; while the official mascot was unveiled by the head of Mazatlán’s Department of Culture, Óscar García Osuna.
The event was attended by distinguished figures from the maritime and port sectors, including Lieutenant Commander Guadalupe Rodríguez, representing the Port Captaincy; Julio César Pecina Arrieta, Director General of ASIPONA Mazatlán; Master Mariner Bernardo Alfonso Junco Peña, Director of the Merchant Marine Academy; Master Mariner Miguel Ángel Elizondo Silva; as well as Celia Jáuregui Ibarra and the master of ceremonies, Jesús Alonso Salazar.
