Green shipping corridor Barcelona-Shanghai: an example of projects that will transform maritime transport
The Port of Barcelona and the Port of Shanghai have agreed to create a maritime route with neutral emissions, focused on energy efficiency, digitalization, and the transport of vehicles with green methanol. They join a long list of similar initiatives worldwide: up to 57 green maritime corridors have been proposed by early this year.
Posted on
10.10.2025
The Port of Barcelona and the Port of Shanghai have agreed to create a maritime route with neutral emissions, focused on energy efficiency, digitalization, and the transport of vehicles with green methanol. They join a long list of similar initiatives worldwide.
From 2023 to 2024, for example, the number of global initiatives for these projects practically doubled, according to the Annual Progress Report on Green Shipping Corridors 2024. Many green corridor projects stand out for seeking a sustainable path for fuel and for using digital tools to optimize routes and operations.
Barcelona and Shanghai will be no exception.
Barcelona-Shanghai: emissions reduction and digitalization
This strategic green shipping corridor has the challenge of drastically reducing emissions from maritime transport between Barcelona and Shanghai, a project that will be possible thanks to the agreement formalized by the Port of Barcelona and Shanghai to promote the digitalization of logistics processes.
This is the second project of its kind in Europe, after the ongoing development of the corridor between Rotterdam and Singapore, one of the longest and most commercially important routes, with high container traffic.
- A strategic agreement
The agreement signed between the presidents of both ports, José Alberto Carbonell and Song Xiadong, establishes collaboration between port authorities, shipping companies, and fuel producers to create a decarbonized and efficient logistics ecosystem.
Green shipping corridors are in full expansion. From 2023 to 2024, the number of global initiatives for these projects practically doubled. And they are important because, among other advantages, they allow for the reduction of direct and indirect emissions.
- An alliance based on consolidated commercial relations
Currently, Shanghai is the largest port in the world. 50% of imports arriving at the Port of Barcelona—in sectors such as electronics, machinery, textiles, and consumer goods—come from China, especially from this port city. Therefore, given this framework, establishing a green corridor is not only viable but also a 100% coherent strategy with current commercial reality.
- Chery: first corridor operator
One of the first companies that will operate in this new corridor is the automotive multinational Chery, which exports 80% of the cars it manufactures through the Port of Barcelona. From the Catalan city, they are distributed to Spain and Portugal. This cargo will be carried out, according to this new agreement, with energies considered neutral in emissions. And it will be done this way from its origin to its final destination.
What is a green shipping corridor and why is it important?
A green shipping corridor is a maritime route between ports that promotes sustainable practices to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transport. It involves the use of clean fuels, innovative technologies, and digitalization to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
- The urgency of green corridors
The maritime sector represents more than 80% of global freight transport and contributes around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Green corridors are essential to curb climate change and meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement for 2050.
- Key components of a green corridor
They promote the use of vessels with clean technologies and efficient engines, and must have eco-efficient infrastructure—that is, ports with waste management systems and renewable energies that implement actions to protect biodiversity and ecosystems. Thanks to digitalization, participating ports can also optimize routes and fleet management.
- The origin of the global initiative
The Clydebank Declaration, signed by more than 20 countries at COP26 in October 2021, drove the creation of green maritime corridors. From 2023 to 2024, global initiatives almost doubled, according to the Annual Progress Report on Green Shipping Corridors 2024.
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