The Port of Barcelona on Thursday (11 June) said it signed a new strategic cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission (SMTC) and Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG).

The agreement officially establishes the “sister ports” relationship between Shanghai and Barcelona and aims to boost cooperation in areas such as the digitalisation and security of port operations; developing green ports and alternative fuels; intermodality and fostering sustainable maritime corridors between the Far East and the Mediterranean. 

The agreement was signed by José Alberto Carbonell, president of the Port of Barcelona; Xiao Hui, general director of the SMTC, and Yang ZhiYong, vice president of SIPG, in the presence of Jaume Duch, Regional Minister for European Union and Foreign Action. 

The relationship between the Port of Barcelona and the Port of Shanghai has intensified in recent years. In late July 2025, a preliminary agreement was signed between both port authorities, which led to a technical visit in September 2025 by a delegation from Shanghai led by Wang Haijian, Vice President and Director of Operations of SIPG, to advance the development of the Green Shipping and Digital Corridor between both ports. 

“This new institutional visit and the signing of the new agreement consolidates the Port of Barcelona’s position as a Euro-Mediterranean logistics hub and strengthens its links with one of the main ports and economic centres in the world,” the port said. 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 12 June, 2026

NYK Line subsidiary Kinkai Yusen on Tuesday (9 June) said it will conduct a demonstration operation using biofuel refuelled at Hakata Port on 16 June on the RoRo vessel Nanotsu, which operates between Hakata Port and Tsuruga Port.

The company said it will be the first instance of a domestic RoRo vessel operating using biofuel at Hakata Port. 

The biofuel (B24) which will be used will comprise 24% biofuel and conventional marine fuel, and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions without requiring major modifications to existing ship equipment. 

“The procurement of biofuel will be carried out in cooperation with Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd and Itochu Enex Co Ltd,” it said in a statement. 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Tetsuya
Published: 12 June, 2026

Hong Kong-based marine fuel supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation (CPN) on Wednesday (10 June) said it has successfully delivered B100 marine biodiesel to an oil tanker for the first time, bunkering the vessel TORM CORRIDO on 8 June. 

The operation marked a significant expansion of CPN’s B100 capability, bringing oil tankers into the range of vessel types it can serve with fully compliant, certified biodiesel supply in Hong Kong.

The achievement reflects a broader surge in market demand. Since CPN launched its B100 marine biodiesel service in January 2026, operator confidence has grown rapidly, and total volumes delivered in the second quarter of 2026 have already exceeded first-quarter totals by more than 300%. 

“Total B100 marine biodiesel volumes in Q2 2026 have already exceeded Q1 by more than 300%, driven by the trust of partners like TORM,” CPN said. 

The operation was carried out by CPN’s dedicated bunker tanker Guo Si, fully upgraded in compliance with the IMO IBC Code and Hong Kong Cap. 413E. 

“As Hong Kong’s only Type II-certified bunker tanker for B100 operations, Guo Si brings the specialist capability to handle pure biofuels safely and compliantly across vessel types,” the company added. 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation
Published: 11 June, 2026