On September 3, the Export-Import Bank of China convened its fourth international ship finance forum in Shanghai. The event revolved around the central theme of "Green Shipping, Innovative Cooperation," zeroing in on maritime industry progress, environmental transformation, and shipping finance. Its core mission was to facilitate enhancements in the shipping sector and steer it toward a premium, sustainable trajectory.
The gathering featured addresses from notable figures including Vice Minister of Transport Xu Chengguang, Shanghai Vice Mayor He Qing, Export-Import Bank of China Chairman Chen Huaiyu, and George Procopiou, the founder of Greek company Dynacom. Also present were the bank's President Wang Chunying and Vice President Wang Kang. The event drew participation from a broad spectrum of over 110 domestic and international entities, including relevant state ministries, industry bodies, classification societies, prominent shipowners and shipyards, alongside financial institutions from both local and global arenas.
Xu Chengguang extended a warm welcome to the domestic and international attendees, emphasizing that shipping serves as the primary channel for international trade and the lifeblood of the global supply chain. He remarked that green, low-carbon, and intelligent practices have emerged as the core drivers reshaping the global shipping industry. The forum's theme of "Green Shipping, Innovative Cooperation" provides a practical and efficient platform for exchange and collaboration, arriving at a pivotal moment with substantial implications. He expressed hope that the forum would serve to deepen the precise alignment between industry and finance, continuously broaden the scope of international cooperation, and support the comprehensive elevation of Shanghai's status as an international shipping center, thereby contributing China's efforts to foster the sustainable development of global shipping.
He Qing conveyed expectations that the forum would evolve into a vital platform for enhancing industry-finance integration and cross-border collaboration, generating pragmatic solutions for exploring new models of ship finance and unlocking fresh avenues for green shipping growth. He voiced anticipation that the Export-Import Bank of China would harness its strengths to inject robust momentum into the agglomeration of Shanghai's shipping finance industry and maintain the stability and fluidity of the industrial and supply chains. Shanghai is committed to implementing national strategic directives, consistently refining its business environment, and enhancing its shipping service framework. By deepening the integrated development of its international financial center and shipping hub, Shanghai aims to contribute more innovative and exemplary solutions for the high-quality advancement of the ship finance and shipping sectors.
Chen Huaiyu highlighted that, as a specialized institution dedicated to supporting China's foreign economic trade investment and international economic cooperation, the Export-Import Bank of China has actively fostered deep collaboration within the global shipping industry. Leveraging its long-established expertise in ship finance, the bank is focused on promoting the development of high-end and environmentally friendly vessels, having supported a substantial number of landmark ships that represent global or domestic firsts. Looking ahead, the bank will persist in capitalizing on its professional capabilities, intensifying financial support for key areas such as shipbuilding, port construction, and shipping services to achieve win-win outcomes through cooperation with all partners.
George Procopiou observed that the global shipping landscape is undergoing profound shifts, with China progressively establishing itself as a critical engine for global ship finance. He credited Chinese financial institutions for their significant role in advancing the shipping industry, citing their professional service capabilities. Notably, the Export-Import Bank of China has extended financial support to numerous overseas shipowners, earning widespread trust and acclaim from international shipping firms and fostering a continuously strengthening partnership. He affirmed that a greater number of overseas shipowners will steadfastly choose to collaborate with Chinese financial institutions, together charting a course toward a mutually advantageous future.
During the summit, the Export-Import Bank of China formalized agreements with a diverse array of domestic and international partners, including COSCO Shipping, Thenamaris, Dynacom, Winning International, Shandong Shipping, Zhonggu Shipping, and Wuhu Shipyard. These agreements aim to support the construction and export of environmentally friendly, high-tech, and high-value-added vessels, underscoring a tangible commitment to advancing the overseas expansion of the premium shipbuilding sector and facilitating the global green transition in shipping.
The forum additionally featured keynote presentations, specialized addresses, and panel dialogues. Participants engaged in thorough discussions on pressing industry topics, including the opportunities and challenges confronting the shipbuilding sector amidst green transition efforts, as well as the prospects for supply chain optimization and ship finance opportunities. Since its inception by the Export-Import Bank of China in 2012, the international ship finance forum has established itself as a significant dialogue platform for sharing opportunities and broadening exchanges within the global shipping industry.