The Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping (“HKCoS”) last week hosteda two-day Dalian Shipping Conference, from 13th to 14th November, in partnership with Liaoning Port Group Co., Ltd., and the Dalian Logistics Association. The conference was co-organised with Liaoning Port Co., Ltd., Dalian Culture and Education Industry Group, and Dalian Xizhong Island Development Group Co., Ltd. The Global Maritime Forum and Dalian Huarui Investment Holding Co., Ltd. supported the event.

As the first international conference held after the IMO MEPC 83 extraordinary session 2—where the adoption of a global regulatory framework was postponed for a year—this event provided a timely platform for multistakeholder engagement. Around 400 industry frontiers from government, ports, shipowners, classification societies, energy, technology and academia gathered to catalyse cooperation on maritime decarbonisation, clean energy adoption and maritime talent development between Northeast China and global markets. Dalian, with its emerging role as a gateway for clean energy innovation and international maritime collaboration, stands at the forefront of transformative progress in the shipping industry. This made it a strategic host for this landmark conference.
Overall, the industry remains committed to green shipping and decarbonisation. The postponement is viewed as an opportunity to assess decarbonisation strategies in a more considered manner, allowing for the exploration of various pathways to achieve short-, medium- and long-term goals. This more gradual approach also provides greater flexibility and opens up possibilities for alternative solutions, such as bio-LNG.

Leung Chun-ying, Honorary Advisor to the HKCoS, said: “I hope that the shipping communities of Hong Kong and Dalian, together with Chinese shipping enterprises and the maritime service providers, will navigate these geopolitical and trade challenges hand in hand. In this effort, I propose: First, in the coordination of green marine fuel supply chain, Hong Kong can leverage its strengths as an international shipping centre, and work with Dalian on mutual recognition of green marine fuel bunkering standards. Second, in the coordination of international shipping service, as Chinese shipping enterprises become more active globally, Dalian can make full use of Hong Kong’s high-value maritime offerings, including insurance, finance, legal services, and arbitration. Third, in joint cultivation of maritime talent, both cities should establish cooperative channels to nurture top-tier professionals with practical experience and international vision.”

Hing Chao, Chairman of the HKCoS, said, “Northeast China has abundant resources and is
geographically well-positioned to become a significant clean fuel production, trade, and bunkering hub. With the delay in the IMO net zero framework, regional and cross-sector collaboration is more critical than ever. One notable example is the establishment of a new green methanol full value chain, after the pilot green methanol bunkering operation in Northeast China, at Dalian in July 2025. The Chamber is committed to forging partnerships to turn this net-zero ambition into action and to building a sustainable future for global shipping.”

Dalian Shipping Conference also provided extensive, first-of-its-kind cross-sector dialogue avenues, such as a closed-door Global Maritime Forum’s signature “Getting to Zero Coalition” workshop, in partnership with the Dalian Maritime University and HKCoS. At the HKCoS Clean Energy Supply Chain Conference (day two), closed-door in-depth discussions were held to formulate action plans in areas of: 1) LNG bunkering in Northeast China, 2) Electrification, and 3) Integrated Decarbonisation Solutions, involving 100 experts from the full value chain. A summary of the highlights summary can be found in the appendix overleaf.

At a pivotal moment for the global shipping industry’s green transformation and urgent maritime talent needs, the Dalian Shipping Conference not only fostered cross-sector collaboration and innovation, but reaffirmed Northeast China and Hong Kong’s strategic role in shaping a sustainable future for shipping worldwide.