Shanghai maps shipping hub upgrade for 2026-30

Shanghai plans to speed up port and airport development, enhance green and digital shipping services, and bolster legal, financial, and logistics support from 2026 to 30. This strategy aims to strengthen the city's position as a key gateway connecting domestic and international markets, according to officials on July 22.

The plan was introduced at a municipal government press conference by Vice-Mayor He Qing, with officials from the city's transport, maritime, justice, port, and airport authorities outlining priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30).

Xiao Hui, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Transport, said Shanghai will improve connections by sea, air, rail, river, and road to support growing cargo and passenger flows. Key projects include the Waigaoqiao container railway center station, capacity upgrades at Luchaogang, the Shanghai East Railway Station, transport links at Pudong International Airport, and improvements around the Hongqiao transport hub.

By 2030, Shanghai aims to double sea-rail intermodal volume from the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) to about 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and increase the share of water-to-water container transshipment to 55 percent.

Green and smart shipping will become a key focus. Officials mentioned that Shanghai aims to establish international centers for green marine fuel certification, bunkering, and trading. The city plans to expand LNG, methanol, and biofuel bunkering and enhance digital platforms for ports, airports, and multimodal logistics.

Qiu Ming, director of the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration, said maritime authorities will promote ship registry services, green-fuel safety standards, smart-vessel trials, and data-enabled shipping finance and insurance services.

Major infrastructure will anchor the plan. Shanghai International Port Group President Song Xiaodong said the Xiaoyangshan North Container Terminal is being developed in phases, while Shanghai Airport Authority President Zhou Hao said Pudong International Airport's Phase IV expansion is expected to be operational by the end of 2028.