Mar Chao Lopez, president of the Port Authority of Valencia, said the planned green shipping corridor with Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is now being implemented, as both sides deepen cooperation on decarbonization, smart port development, and China-Europe maritime connectivity.

Speaking during the 10th Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum in Ningbo, Lopez said the forum has become an influential event within the global maritime industry, bringing together major carriers, terminal operators, and port authorities to exchange views and explore cooperation opportunities.

She noted that the Port of Valencia, Spain's largest container port, which handled around 42 percent of the country's import and export container volumes, shares a long-term partnership with Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. The two hubs are closely aligned in their development priorities, particularly in digitalization, automation, and low-carbon transformation.

Lopez highlighted that decarbonization is now a regulatory requirement in Europe, with Valencia working to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 through expanded solar power use, shore power deployment and cleaner operational practices.

She added that automation and digitalization are equally critical to future competitiveness, and pointed to Chinese ports, including Ningbo, as global benchmarks in smart terminal operations that European ports are actively learning from.

The green shipping corridor initiative between Ningbo-Zhoushan and Valencia is now being officially implemented. It involves shipping companies, terminal operators and research institutions on both sides, with coordinated carbon accounting and aligned emissions targets.

Lopez also expressed hope that a direct shipping service between the two ports could eventually be established, which would shorten transit times, reduce logistics costs and further strengthen China-Europe supply chain connectivity.