The president of the Port of Barcelona, José Alberto Carbonell, and the vice president of the Port of Shanghai, Sam Liu .
The Port of Barcelona and the Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) have signed a formal agreement to strengthen strategic cooperation, with a focus on digitalisation, decarbonisation, and the creation of a Green Shipping and Digital Corridor between the two global maritime hubs.
In a high-level meeting held at the Port of Shanghai, José Alberto Carbonell, President of the Port of Barcelona, and Song Xiaodong, Vice President of SIPG, formalized the commitment in the presence of Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat de Catalunya. The agreement marks a significant step forward in a growing partnership between two of the world’s most influential ports.
The memorandum outlines joint efforts to deepen port-to-port cooperation through the exchange of knowledge and practices in digitalisation, automation, standardisation, and emissions reduction in maritime transport. The goal? Develop smart, sustainable logistics solutions to meet the evolving demands of global supply chains.
Green Shipping and Digital Corridor in the Making
Central to the agreement is the development of a Green Shipping and Digital Corridor connecting the Far East and the Mediterranean. This initiative will enable ships powered by alternative green fuels to operate between Shanghai and Barcelona. Both ports will work on the infrastructure and regulations needed to support clean fuel bunkering and emissions-neutral services along this vital trade route.
The collaboration aligns with global efforts to decarbonize maritime shipping, one of the most emissions-intensive transport sectors. By sharing experiences, co-developing technologies, and launching joint training programs in port management and security, Barcelona and Shanghai aim to lead the industry in practical sustainability transitions.
A dedicated bilateral working group will be established to identify and prioritize specific initiatives. This includes developing separate agreements for each project, such as emissions tracking, fuel certification, and real-time digital cargo monitoring systems.
Expanding Cruise and Trade Collaboration
Beyond freight, the agreement includes strategic coordination on cruise operations, especially as the Chinese outbound tourism market begins to recover. Both ports are recognized for their cruise infrastructure and passenger-handling capacity, and the partnership will focus on shared standards and operational integration to support future demand.
Trade ties between the ports are already robust. Nearly 50 percent of imports arriving in Barcelona originate from China, with a heavy emphasis on electronics, machinery, textiles, and consumer goods. On the export side, around 10 percent of Barcelona’s outbound volumes are bound for Chinese ports, including pharmaceuticals, agrifood, wine, and automotive parts.
Chinese companies play a significant role in the Port of Barcelona’s logistics ecosystem. COSCO Shipping made its first call at the port over half a century ago, and Hutchison Port Holdings, through its majority stake in BEST terminal, continues to operate one of Europe’s most advanced semi-automated container facilities.
Automotive Hub and Technology Gateway
Barcelona has steadily positioned itself as a strategic entry point for Chinese electric vehicles into Europe. Automakers such as Chery, SAIC, Tesla, and Cupra rely on the port’s connectivity, handling capacity, and multimodal distribution networks to reach customers across the continent.
During the Shanghai visit, José Alberto Carbonell and Santiago Garcia-Milà, Deputy Director General for Innovation and Business Strategy at the Port of Barcelona, toured the Yangshan Deep-Water Port — home to one of the most advanced automated container terminals in the world. Hosted by senior SIPG executives, the tour focused on real-time operations management, autonomous cargo handling, and AI-based logistics planning — key areas of interest for Barcelona’s future development.
As both ports work to shape a more sustainable, digitally connected maritime corridor, the agreement sets a new benchmark in global port collaboration — one rooted in mutual benefit, innovation, and long-term climate responsibility.
