Two new green shipping corridor plans linking Shanghai with Hamburg and Melbourne were unveiled during the 2026 North Bund Forum, setting out targets for the deployment of lower-emission vessels and the development of alternative marine fuel infrastructure.

Under the Shanghai–Hamburg Green Shipping Corridor Development Goals and Roadmap, participating stakeholders aim to progressively increase the deployment of dual-fuel container vessels between 2028 and 2035, while reducing emissions along the route. The plan also calls for greater use of electricity and clean energy in port operations and the development of a diversified, reliable supply of low-carbon marine fuels.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai–Melbourne Green Shipping Corridor Implementation Plan Outline targets the deployment of container vessels powered by low-carbon fuels by 2035. Partners will work to strengthen fuel production, storage, transportation and bunkering capabilities to accelerate decarbonisation along the China–Australia trade route.

The initiatives build on Shanghai Port's expanding international green corridor network. In 2022, Shanghai joined the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in launching a trans-Pacific green shipping corridor, which has since reached its first-phase milestone. Shanghai subsequently signed a memorandum of understanding with Hamburg in 2024 and has also developed green corridor partnerships with Melbourne, Barcelona and Antwerp-Bruges.

Shanghai is also exploring pilot applications of China's GSTC certification system and mutual recognition of fuel standards to help translate port infrastructure investments into measurable emissions reductions along shipping routes.

Participants in the Shanghai–Hamburg and Shanghai–Melbourne initiatives include the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, Hamburg Port Authority, Port of Melbourne, Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), COSCO SHIPPING Lines, Shenergy Group, China Classification Society (CCS), DNV and the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre in Asia (MTCC-Asia).

Both initiatives support the objectives of the Clydebank Declaration, which promotes the establishment of green shipping corridors to accelerate maritime decarbonisation.