The Hamburg Port Authority and SPG Qingdao Port Group have signed a port partnership agreement in Qingdao aimed at deepening cooperation between two of Europe’s and China’s major maritime hubs. The document solidifies future collaboration in port planning, sustainability, and intermodal transport, while also enhancing the exchange of expertise and best practices between the parties.
This new agreement builds upon a long-standing partnership that began in 2016 with the signing of a memorandum on strategic cooperation and was further expanded in 2025 through the establishment of a “green” maritime corridor between the ports. Cooperation is now reaching a new level within the framework of an official port partnership. The signing took place during a Hamburg delegation’s roadshow in China – involving representatives from Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG, Eurogate, and other port and logistics companies – which included industry roundtables in Qingdao and Shanghai.
Hamburg emphasizes that cooperation with Chinese partners is of strategic importance for developing sustainable and resilient supply chains. In 2025, China remained the Port of Hamburg’s largest trading partner, with a volume of approximately 2.3 million TEUs and nearly 19.9 million tonnes of seaborne cargo. The connection between the two sides is supported by 17 regular maritime services – including container, general cargo, and ro-ro operations – making this route a key link in global logistics.