The Port of Barcelona Authority has entered into a new strategic cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission (SMTC) and the Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG). Signed during a visit by a Shanghai delegation, the document aims to strengthen the long-standing partnership between these two major port hubs in Europe and Asia. Representatives from port authorities and regional officials from Catalonia participated in the ceremony.
The agreement formalizes their “sister port” status and expands cooperation in key areas, including the digitalization of port operations, enhanced security, the development of environmentally sustainable infrastructure, and the adoption of alternative fuels. Particular emphasis is placed on developing intermodal transport and establishing “green” and digital maritime corridors between the Far East and the Mediterranean, a move designed to boost the efficiency of global logistics chains.
Cooperation between the parties has been actively developing since 2025, following the signing of a preliminary memorandum and subsequent technical visits to Barcelona by SIPG delegations. During the most recent visit, the Shanghai representatives toured port facilities, including the Auto Terminal and the Free Trade Zone. The signing of this new agreement solidifies Barcelona’s role as a key logistics hub in the Euro-Mediterranean region and strengthens its ties with Shanghai, one of the world’s largest ports.