Göran Eriksson, CEO of The Port of Gothenburg and Yu Fulin, Director General of Shanghai’s Transport Commission at the signing ceremony on North Bound Forum in Shanghai on October 22. Photo: North Bound Forum.
The Port of Gothenburg and Port of Shanghai have signed a renewed sister port agreement aimed at promoting and developing cooperation on growth and sustainability between the ports.
China is Sweden’s largest trading partner in Asia with upwards of 10,000 Swedish companies engaging in trade with China, and more than 600 Swedish or Sweden-related companies operating in the country. The majority of trade between the two countries is conducted by sea—largely via a weekly container line between the ports, serviced by some of the world’s largest container ships. The ports of Gothenburg and Shanghai are the largest container ports in the Nordics and the world, respectively.
The renewed sister port agreement includes continued collaboration at management level. The ports will work together to increase trade exchanges as well as intensify joint efforts for sustainable transport. The agreement was signed by Yu Fulin, Director General of Shanghai’s Transport Commission, and Göran Eriksson, CEO of The Port of Gothenburg.
“Swedish trade with China is significant, and it is our responsibility as Sweden’s largest port to help make the entire value chain more sustainable. We do this by collaborating with other ports like Shanghai on electrification and making renewable fuels available to the relevant shipping companies,” says Göran Eriksson, adding, “Many of our consumer goods are imported from China, and as Swedish consumers become more aware of transport-related emissions, there are increasing demands on the entire shipping sector. In collaboration with ports around the world, the Port of Gothenburg contribute not only locally but also to global efforts.”
Sweden’s Consul General in Shanghai, Marie-Claire Swärd Capra, hosted the signing of the sister port agreement:
“Sweden has a strong and resilient trading relationship with China that goes back centuries. In 1994 the cooperation between the Port of Shanghai, the largest container port in the world, and the Port of Gothenburg, largest port in Scandinavia, was formalized through a Sister Port Agreement, as both parties stated that a mutual exchange of experiences would benefit their respective activities. I am very pleased that the two Parties to the Sister Port Agreement have now agreed to continue and further develop this cooperation,”
