Evergreen Marine Corp. has been drawn into an alleged insider trading investigation in Taiwan, after prosecutors directed investigators to search multiple locations, including the company’s Taipei office.

According to Taiwan media reports, the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office instructed the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau to search 10 locations and question nine people connected to the case.

Those questioned reportedly included Evergreen Marine board director Chang Kuo-hua, the eldest son of Evergreen Group founder Chang Yung-fa, his brother Chang Kuo-cheng, and former Evergreen executive Ko Li-ching.

The investigation is understood to relate to share transactions made before Evergreen Marine disclosed major information concerning the disposal of its stake in EVA Airways. The case was reportedly triggered by a complaint filed by shareholder Lin Wen-peng in 2024.

Chang Kuo-hua has denied wrongdoing, saying the share purchase was properly reported and that he has not sold the shares or profited from the transaction.
Evergreen Marine has confirmed that investigators searched the company and said it is fully cooperating with the authorities. The company also stated that its daily operations remain normal and that there has been no material impact on its business or finances.

At this stage, the case remains under investigation. No final legal conclusion has been reached.

For the shipping industry, the case is another reminder that governance, disclosure discipline and capital-market compliance are becoming increasingly important for listed shipping companies — especially those with large family shareholding structures and complex group interests.