The Port of Barcelona has solidified its international partnerships by entering into a strategic cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission and Shanghai International Port Group. This landmark accord officially designates Barcelona and Shanghai as sister ports, strengthening the collaborative ties between these two vital maritime hubs.

The agreement was formally executed 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 in Barcelona during an official visit by a Shanghai delegation and was attended by Jaume Duch, the Regional Minister for European Union and Foreign Action.

This new agreement formalizes and deepens a collaborative relationship that has been actively developing in recent years. A preliminary accord was established in July 2025, which was subsequently followed by a technical visit from Shanghai in September 2025. This visit was instrumental in advancing the development of a Green Shipping and Digital Corridor, a key initiative aimed at enhancing sustainable and efficient operations between the two ports. As part of the current visit, delegates toured the Autoterminal vehicle terminal, further progressing preparatory work for the corridor’s launch.

The cooperative framework is structured around four principal areas: the digitalization and security of port operations, the advancement of green port initiatives and alternative fuels, the enhancement of intermodal transport, and the promotion of sustainable maritime corridors connecting the Far East and the Mediterranean.

These shared priorities underscore the mutual ambition of both ports to lead the global maritime trade sector through energy and digital transitions. This agreement significantly reinforces the Port of Barcelona’s position as a key Euro-Mediterranean logistics hub. Furthermore, it deepens its connections with one of the world’s most prominent ports and economic powerhouses, thereby fostering increased commercial and logistical exchanges between China and Europe.

Ports of Barcelona and Shanghai formalise strategic cooperation agreement