Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and SPG Qingdao Port Group have signed a Port Partnership Agreement in Qingdao.
The deal strengthens long-standing cooperation and formalises expanded collaboration across port planning, sustainability and intermodal transport development.
The agreement, signed on 23 June, builds on an initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established in 2016 and a 2025 joint declaration to develop a Green Shipping Corridor between Hamburg and Qingdao.
The latest framework is intended to further intensify the exchange of operational expertise and best practices across both port systems.
The partnership was concluded during a Hamburg delegation roadshow in China from 23 to 26 June.
The delegation included representatives from Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), EUROGATE, TSIT and Hafen Hamburg Marketing (HHM), with the aim of reinforcing trade and logistics ties between Hamburg and key Chinese port and industrial partners.
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As part of the programme, Hamburg’s port and logistics sector was presented at the German Logistics Roundtable in Qingdao and the Sino-German Logistics Roundtable in Shanghai, with a focus on operational performance, innovation and infrastructure development.
The delegation also participated in transport logistic Shanghai under the “German Ports” umbrella, alongside exhibitors Greiwing and Metrans, facilitating direct engagement with Chinese logistics operators and industrial stakeholders.
Friedrich Stuhrmann, Chief Commercial Officer of the Hamburg Port Authority, said: “The close cooperation with our Chinese partners is of great strategic importance to the Port of Hamburg. Through our roadshow, we create a platform for open dialogue on sustainable logistics, resilient supply chains and joint future projects.
“The Port Partnership Agreement with Qingdao Port Group in particular demonstrates how collaborative solutions can be developed to support the transformation of the maritime industry and how partners across continents can benefit from one another.”
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The Port of Hamburg also highlighted its performance and sustainability positioning at the Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards, where it was named “Best Sustainable Port”.
The awards are organised by Asia Cargo News, with around 15,000 industry readers participating in the voting process.
Trade between Hamburg and China remains central to the port’s global volumes. In 2025, Hamburg handled 2.3 million TEUs of China-related container traffic and around 19.9 million tonnes of maritime cargo in total.
The port is currently connected to China via 17 liner services, including 12 container services, four general cargo services with heavy-lift capability, and one RoRo service.
For more information:
Hamburg Port Authority – https://www.hamburg-port-authority.de/en
