APL and one of its masters have been found guilty in Hong Kong of importing Singaporean military vehicles without a licence.
The offence took place three years ago, the South China Morning Post reported.
Captain Pan Xuejun was given a three-month suspended jail term by the district court.
The court also imposed a fine of HKD 90,000 ($11,474) on APL and HKD 9,000 on Pan.
APL lawyers argued that the company and master were unaware of the vehicles on board the vessel.
But judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi rejected this due to their size and the fact they could only be transported on a flat-rack container.
Tyres could still be seen underneath a canvas cover, he added.
The Terrex troop carriers were being shipped by Taiwan to the Singapore government.
The ship in question was named as APL Qatar.
Pan’s lawyers said he should not be held liable for cargo.
But Chan ruled he was answerable for the goods shipped on his vessel.
