The Port of Barcelona has solidified its partnership with Shanghai by entering into a strategic cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission and Shanghai International Port Group. This formalizes a sister port relationship between these two significant maritime hubs.

The agreement was signed by Port of Barcelona President José Alberto Carbonell, Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission General Director Xiao Hui, and Shanghai International Port Group Vice President Yang ZhiYong. The signing ceremony took place during an official and business visit by a Shanghai delegation to Barcelona, with Jaume Duch, the Regional Minister for European Union and Foreign Action, also in attendance.

This new agreement builds upon and deepens a collaborative relationship that has been developing over recent years. It follows a preliminary accord signed in July 2025 and a subsequent technical visit from Shanghai in September 2025, which focused on advancing the development of a Green Shipping and Digital Corridor between the two ports. During the current visit, preparations for this corridor continued with a tour of the Autoterminal vehicle terminal.

The cooperation framework is structured around four key areas:
* Digitalization and security of port operations.
* Development of green ports and alternative fuels.
* Enhancing intermodality.
* Promoting sustainable maritime corridors between the Far East and the Mediterranean.

These priorities underscore the shared commitment of both ports to lead the energy and digital transformation within global maritime trade.

This agreement reinforces the Port of Barcelona’s position as a pivotal Euro-Mediterranean logistics hub. It also strengthens its connection with one of the world’s foremost ports and economic centers, thereby supporting the expansion of commercial and logistics exchanges between China and Europe.

Ports of Barcelona and Shanghai formalise strategic cooperation agreement