Hamburg and Shanghai ports to create green shipping corridor

Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and the Port of Shanghai have signed at a forum in Shanghai a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a green shipping corridor.

As informed, the MOU, inked on October 22, aims to make the shipping industry more environmentally friendly and low-carbon and promote the sustainable development of global maritime transport.

The maritime industry is increasingly focusing on a green transition. Together with shipping giant COSCO Shipping Lines and the Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission (SMTC) and the HPA are working on the implementation of the green shipping corridor. The aim is to accelerate the decarbonization of maritime transport by working with technical equipment suppliers, energy suppliers, cargo owners, terminals and shipping companies.

Specifically, the agreed objectives include providing suitable shore power connections to all container terminals in every port, promoting the supply and use of environmentally friendly fuels, encouraging technical equipment suppliers, energy suppliers, cargo owners, terminals and shipping companies to commit to the objectives of the green shipping corridor, and sharing knowledge and information to support the objectives of the corridor and promote best practices.

“The establishment of a green shipping corridor supports the sustainable development of both ports and sets new standards for the global maritime industry. Close cooperation between all parties, such as terminals, shipping companies and energy suppliers, plays an important role in achieving the set goals for sustainable shipping,” Jens Meier, CEO of HPA and President of the World Ports Organization IAPH, commented.

Earlier this month, Germany’s government unveiled the National Action Plan for Climate-Friendly Shipping (NAPS) to boost investments centered around maritime energy transition for the German industry. Green shipping corridors are said to be a key area of action in the NAPS.

Within this context, the port engaged in discussions and partnered up with several other ports in the last few weeks. This month alone, HPA, together with Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC), signed MOU with Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) to propel innovations in port operations, port development, and workforce capacity building.

Last month, HPA also signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to work on accelerating maritime decarbonization, digitalization, and cybersecurity.

Finally, in late September 2024, HPA announced a joint declaration of intent with the South Korean Busan Port Authority (BPA) and Ulsan Port Authority (UPA) to collaborate on the decarbonization of maritime transport in the future by expanding the use of environmentally friendly marine fuels.