Currently, the world's once-in-a-century changes are accelerating, the Red Sea crisis continues to fester, global supply chain security and stability face enormous challenges, and the port and shipping industry shoulders an even more important mission. On June 27, the 2024 Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum (hereinafter referred to as the "Maritime Silk Road Forum") opened in Ningbo, Zhejiang. Experts at the forum stated that multimodal transport is the trend in port and shipping logistics development, and that efforts should be made to establish a global multimodal transport logistics large model, establish a data-driven model, develop internationalized ports, and promote integrated global logistics operations.

On June 27, the 2024 Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum opened in Ningbo.

This year's Maritime Silk Road Forum continued the overall framework of "1+1+4+N" from previous editions, featuring 1 opening ceremony and main forum, 1 high-level roundtable meeting, and 4 thematic forums, along with N linked activities, including supporting events in various forms such as exhibitions and displays, business promotions, cooperation negotiations, and training seminars. A total of more than 1,600 guests from nearly 40 countries and regions attended the forum.

In the first half of this year, the international situation was complex and volatile, and the port and shipping industry showed variable trends. Against this backdrop, the "More Open Silk Road, More Connected Ports and Shipping, More Prosperous Trade and Economy — Joint Statement of the 2024 Maritime Silk Road High-Level Roundtable Meeting" (hereinafter referred to as the "Joint Statement"), unanimously adopted by senior leaders of globally renowned port and shipping enterprises and important guests from port and shipping regulatory organizations, was released at the meeting.

The Joint Statement holds that the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" is a "path of development," and that the countries and regions jointly building it should enjoy equal and mutually beneficial development opportunities and move toward cooperation and win-win development. Although different ports and shipping companies have different development strategies and goals, only through close cooperation and joint progress can trade prosperity and development be better promoted.

The parties to the Joint Statement pledged to uphold multi-dimensional openness and cooperation between ports and shipping, and jointly enhance the level of trade facilitation; to participate in the fair and sustainable development of global trade through the green and low-carbon development of the port and shipping industry; and to jointly address the impacts of climate change, "black swan" events, and other factors on port and shipping logistics, ensure the smooth progress of global trade, and work together to build a more open Silk Road and more connected ports and shipping.

At the same time, a series of industry reports were also released on site, including the "Ningbo Zhoushan International Shipping Center Development Blue Book," the "China Port Operations Analysis Report (2024)," the "Maritime Silk Road Port, Shipping and Trade Development Report (Zhejiang-Southeast Asia Edition)," and the "Global Port Development Report (2023)."

At the main forum, guests gained insight into the ** trends of the global port and shipping industry through in-depth and extensive dialogue, formed a consensus on open cooperation, jointly explored paths to enhance the level of port and shipping services, and offered suggestions for promoting the prosperity of the global economy and trade.

Li Denghong, academician of the Singapore Academy of Engineering, Qiushi Distinguished Professor at Zhejiang University, and dean of the Zhejiang University-University of Illinois Joint Institute, stated that digital and intelligent port and shipping logistics has become the main battlefield for innovation in the transportation and logistics industry. Taking Ningbo Zhoushan Port as an example, measures such as sea-rail intermodal transport, the use of automated guided vehicles, the use of renewable energy, and the application of the "four-port linkage" platform have greatly improved transportation efficiency. However, the port and shipping logistics industry still faces challenges such as low efficiency, high costs, inaccurate capacity forecasting, and inconsistent responsibilities among different modes of transport. In response, efforts should be accelerated to establish a global multimodal transport logistics large model and, based on a logistics cloud platform, realize research and development of a multimodal transport logistics network, with the key being to strengthen global port cooperation.

Tao Chengbo, chairman of Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Group and Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group, took Ningbo Zhoushan Port as an example and, focusing on three major aspects — "three major transformations," "six-pronged approach," and "co-construction of three chains" — shared with guests the path for capacity upgrading in the context of building important port and shipping hubs under the Belt and Road Initiative. He emphasized that Ningbo Zhoushan Port should accelerate the improvement of logistics chain organization and linkage capabilities, strengthen the service chain, bolster the trade chain, and build global and regional trade centers.

Santiago Mila, deputy general manager of the Port of Barcelona Authority and former president of IAPH, delivered a keynote speech titled "The Impact of Digitalization and Innovation on Ports," using the development of the Port of Barcelona as an example and proposing that the three pillars of port innovation are digitalization, energy transition, and talent.

Xing Peixu, chairman of CCCC Water Transportation Consultants Co., Ltd., stated that currently, global industrial and supply chains are facing the test of deep adjustment, and enhancing the level of port and shipping services and resilience has become a top priority. Efforts should be accelerated to build an efficient, three-dimensional, and interconnected development pattern centered on coastal ports, inland waterways, shipping, and railways. He also proposed that in jointly building Belt and Road port and shipping hubs, it is necessary to strengthen port and shipping logistics connectivity to safeguard international cooperation, develop new quality productive forces to enhance service levels, expand markets, extend chains, and build a port and shipping industry ecosystem.

In addition, four thematic forums were held successively: "Connecting Ports and Shipping: Global Supply Chain and Trade Cooperation," "Promoting Innovation: Green and Smart Ports and Sustainable Development," "Linking Elements: Development of Specialized Shipping Services," and "Integrating Industry: Financial Empowerment of the Port and Shipping Ecosystem." More than 50 guests delivered keynote speeches or exchanged remarks focusing on topics such as global supply chain and trade cooperation, green and smart empowerment, port and shipping finance, and specialized shipping services.

During the forum, as part of the linked segments of this year's forum, the Seminar on Leveraging the Power of Law to Boost High-Quality Development of Port and Shipping Services, the Seminar on High-Quality Development of Pilotage, and an IAPH side event were held successively.