• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
The green and digital corridor that will connect the Port of Barcelona and the Port of Shanghai has been one of the main highlights of the institutional and business mission organized by the Barcelona City Council in the Chinese city, in which several directors from the Port of Barcelona participated.
The project to decarbonize and make maritime routes between both cities more efficient, promoted through an agreement between the two ports, was the focus of the round table held on Wednesday at the Bund auditorium, Shanghai's most iconic promenade, overlooking its financial district.
The round table, jointly organized by the Port of Shanghai, the Port of Barcelona, and the Government of Catalonia, represented by ACCIÓ – Catalonia Trade & Investment, brought together institutional leaders, logistics operators, and industrial companies from both countries. It highlighted not only the development of the Green and Digital Maritime Corridor but also the economic collaboration between Catalonia and China.
The Deputy General Director and Head of Innovation and Business Strategy of the Port of Barcelona, Santiago Garcia-Milà, moderated the meeting, which also included executives from the automotive company Chery; the shipping company AICC, specialized in Ro-Ro traffic; the main automobile terminal of the Port of Shanghai; and the oil company Repsol.
The participants, representing the main sectors involved in the deployment of such a corridor, highlighted the potential of projects like this to transform the maritime sector, advancing its decarbonization while improving operational efficiency, facilitating information exchange, and establishing shared regulations and protocols.
The Deputy General Director and Head of Commercial and Marketing of the Port of Barcelona, Carla Salvadó, was responsible for closing the session, emphasizing the impact of such initiatives on the energy transition process in logistics beyond the maritime scope and on improving competitiveness for clients of both ports.
"When we talk about a green corridor between two ports like Barcelona and Shanghai, we are not just referring to making the ship journey more sustainable. We are talking about emission-free logistics from the factory to the final destination, and that involves all actors. And this is where ports have a key role as promoters and facilitators of this green logistics, which will make our clients more competitive," Salvadó summarized.
Green Shipping and Digital Corridor
The Green Shipping and Digital Corridor between both ports has been one of the culminating points of the growing relationship between the Port of Barcelona and the Port of Shanghai. This has intensified in recent years, leading to the signing of a strategic agreement earlier this month during a visit by a Chinese delegation to Barcelona, where the "sister ports" relationship between Shanghai and Barcelona was officially established.
This relationship, which frames the work for establishing the green corridor, is allowing progress on key elements for its implementation, such as aligned protocols and regulations regarding the supply of alternative fuels or the electrification of quays, as well as the decarbonization of land logistics.
For the Government of Catalonia and ACCIÓ, the Barcelona–Shanghai Green and Digital Maritime Corridor is much more than a logistics initiative. It acts as a platform to strengthen economic ties between Catalonia and China, facilitate new investment opportunities, and promote collaboration among companies, ports, and innovation ecosystems in both territories.
Currently, Catalonia hosts over 200 Chinese companies in sectors such as automotive, mobility, technology, electronics, logistics, renewable energy, and e-commerce. Through its offices in China and its China Desk, ACCIÓ continues to support Chinese companies wishing to establish or expand their operations in Southern Europe, while fostering strategic alliances between Catalan and Chinese stakeholders.