Chinese shipbuilders and European shipowners called for closer collaboration on vessel development, alternative fuels and digitalization during the inaugural China-Europe Maritime Summit at SMM 2026.

The summit, jointly organized by the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI), the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) and DNV, brought together leaders from two maritime sectors that collectively shape a significant share of the global fleet. Energy efficiency, operational flexibility and digital innovation were highlighted as key areas for the industry as it navigates decarbonization targets, evolving regulation and uncertainty around future fuel pathways.

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, Group President and CEO at DNV said: “Gathering leaders from across Chinese shipbuilding, European shipping and the wider maritime value chain in one room is both timely and important. The decisions being made across our industry today will shape shipping for decades to come, and this summit demonstrates a shared commitment to shaping the future of our industry together.”

Xu Peng, Chairman of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) said: “China and Europe’s maritime sectors share aligned missions, complementary strengths and promising prospects. This summit can serve as a starting point for deeper cooperation between China’s shipbuilding industry and Europe’s shipping community, and help broaden the boundaries of full‑chain collaboration and build an interconnected ecosystem.”

Dr. Gaby Bornheim, President of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) said: “For shipowners, a new vessel is never an investment for the next quarter. It is a commitment for decades. Long-term investments require trusted partnerships, and many of the world’s most advanced commercial vessels are the result of cooperation between European shipowners and Chinese shipbuilders. Excellence is rarely achieved in isolation.”

China’s shipbuilding industry accounts for around 70% of the global orderbook, while European shipowners operate more than one-third of the world’s fleet capacity. As the global shipping industry faces increased uncertainty, finding solutions that provide flexibility is essential.

The summit featured two high-level panel discussions moderated by Dr. Martin Kröger, CEO of VDR, and Li Yanqing, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CANSI, bringing together senior executives from leading Chinese shipbuilders, including China Merchants Industry (CMI), Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), and Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI), alongside European shipowners and operators such as Vogemann Reederei, Briese Schiffahrt, Bernhard Schulte, MPC Containerships, and Grieg Edge, as well as DNV. Discussions further highlighted the importance of close China-Europe collaboration to support shipping’s transformation.