On September 15,2025, the 12th London International Shipping Week (LISW2025) commenced with grandeur along the banks of the Thames.
On September 15,2025, the 12th London International Shipping Week (LISW2025) commenced with grandeur along the banks of the Thames. This year's event received strong support from the UK Department of Transport, UK Maritime and Coastguard Service, International Maritime Organization (IMO), British Shipping Association, and London Maritime Services Cluster. It attracted global shipping industry leaders, business executives, and experts to London, where they engaged in discussions on critical challenges and future trends in the sector. The program focused on themes:"Green and Smart Solutions for a Safe, Sustainable and Efficient Shipping Industry", highlighting the industry's heightened focus on sustainable development and technological advancement.
Zhu Bixin, Arsenio Dominguez, Wang Qi and Zhao Yan (from left to right)
On September 16,2025, China COSCO Shipping and China Classification Society (CCS) jointly hosted the forum titled "Green and Smart Solutions for a Safe, Sustainable and Efficient Shipping Industry" as co-organizers during the London International Shipping Week. Wang Qi, Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in the UK; IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez; Zhu Bixin, Managing Director of China COSCO Shipping; and Zhao Yan, President of CCS attended the forum and delivered speeches.
Wang Qi, Charge d 'affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom
Wang Qi, Charge d 'Affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, emphasized in his speech that green and intelligent development is not only a technological innovation for the shipping industry but also a responsibility towards humanity's shared future. He stated that China will always uphold the principles of consultation, cooperation, and benefit sharing, drive progress through innovation, actively participate in global maritime governance, and pursue "new" initiatives with "green" commitments. Meanwhile, China will continue to support the IMO in playing its leading role by promoting the formulation of globally unified maritime rules and standards, thereby contributing to building a safe, efficient, and sustainable global shipping system.
Zhu Bixin, Managing Director of China Ocean Shipping Group
Zhu Bixin, Managing Director of China COSCO Shipping Corporation, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the forum's co-organizers. In his address, he stated that COSCO Shipping has consistently integrated ESG principles into its global operations and is committed to providing customers with "safe, efficient, and sustainable" shipping services, which have received widespread acclaim. He also proposed three initiatives for the sustainable development of the global shipping industry: "firmly supporting the IMO Net-Zero framework and promoting unified global regulation," "increasing investment and collaboration across the green energy industry chain," and "advancing innovative applications of digital technologies in green transformation." COSCO Shipping will work with global partners to promote cooperation through openness and seek win-win outcomes through innovation, contributing collective wisdom and strength to the transformation and upgrading of the global supply chain.
Arsenio Dominguez ,IMO secretary-general
In his address, Arsenio Dominguez,IMO Secretary-General underscored that the implementation of green and smart solutions requires coordinated efforts across the shipping industry. This involves active participation from key stakeholders including shipping companies, classification societies, and port authorities, alongside strong policy support from national regulatory bodies. He stressed that only through the combined efforts of multiple stakeholders and strategic policy guidance can the shipping sector achieve a genuine green and intelligent transformation.
During the forum, seven guests from maritime authorities, industry organizations, leading enterprises, and scientific research institutions had in-depth exchanges around the core theme of the forum, sharing cutting-edge views and practical experience.
Christian Olsen,Deputy Director, UK Maritime and Coastguard Service
In his keynote speech, Christian Olsen, Deputy Director of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Service, pointed out that at a time when the pace of industry transformation and upgrading is accelerating, the UK has explored practical paths in areas such as maritime supervision and service innovation, and stressed that policy clarity and industry collaboration are crucial for the green and intelligent transformation of the shipping industry.
Hong Bo, chief technology officer, CCS International Ship Inspection Business Operations Center
Hong Bo, Chief Technology Officer of CCS International Ship Business Operations Center, delivered a keynote speech titled "Technology as the Anchor: Addressing Uncertainties in the Shipping Industry's Green, Digital, and Intelligent Transformation". He conducted an in-depth analysis of the complex uncertainties encountered during the industry's transition, emphasizing that technology serves as the core pillar providing certainty and controllability. Hong Bo explained that CCS is continuously driving technological innovation and practical implementation to deliver systematic solutions for the industry's transformation and upgrading.
Stephen Gordon,Managing Director, Clarkson Research
Stephen Gordon, Managing Director of Clarkson Research, delivered a keynote speech titled "The Shipping Industry in the Green Transition," analyzing the evolving landscape and emerging opportunities within the global shipping sector amid this environmental shift. He highlighted that the industry is at a critical juncture for green transformation, where decarbonization progress will be driven by technological innovation, fuel diversification, and structural changes in global energy trade patterns. Meanwhile, achieving the IMO's 2050 net-zero emissions target remains a formidable challenge that demands sustained efforts.
David Loosley,Secretary General and CEO of the Baltic International Shipping Association
In his keynote speech, David Loosley, Secretary-General and CEO of the Baltic International Shipping Association, pointed out that China's investments in clean energy and digital intelligence are remarkable. The practices of China Ocean Shipping Group in paperless trade and blockchain-based electronic bills of lading have set a benchmark for the industry. He called on the global shipping community to strengthen multilateral cooperation to provide clear direction and investment confidence for green digital transformation.
Wang Shifa, Director of the Maritime Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
In his keynote speech, Wang Shifa, Director of the Maritime Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, highlighted that as a global shipping hub, Hong Kong has pioneered the world's first green incentive program linked to carbon intensity metrics. The city has also implemented a green marine fuel bunkering initiative, established a regional green fuel trading center, and launched the Port Community System (PCS) to drive the sustainable transformation of global maritime operations.
Shanghai Maritime University President Chu Beiping
In his keynote speech, President Chu Beiping of Shanghai Maritime University pointed out that digitalization, artificial intelligence and green development have become new drivers to ensure shipping safety and efficiency. Shanghai Maritime University has launched the "Cloud Maritime University" construction project, making positive contributions to creating new standards for education development and expanding new paths for digital education.
Wang Dongbo, Deputy Secretary-General of China Shipbuilding Industry Association
Wang Dongbo, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Shipbuilding Industry Association, delivered a keynote speech titled "Green and Intelligent Solutions for China's Shipping Industry," focusing on China's capabilities and contributions in the "Three Major Solutions." These specifically include developing a green and intelligent shipbuilding industry, building more green and intelligent vessels, and supplying more green marine fuel energy.
The forum also arranged a special discussion session. Hosted by Robert Ashdown, Secretary-General of the International Association of Classification Societies, the dialogue guests included Johannah Christensen, CEO of the Global Maritime Forum; Simon Bennett, Deputy Secretary-General of the International Shipping Association; Joe Kramek, Chairman and CEO of the World Shipping Council; Wang Qingzhou, Chairman of Oceana (China) Investment Co., Ltd.; and Dominik Schneiter, CEO of WinGD.
The panelists engaged in an in-depth dialogue focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing the shipping industry's green and intelligent development. They shared professional insights, latest achievements, and future goals regarding the application of green smart technologies in their respective fields. This dialogue vividly demonstrated the global shipping leaders' and decision-makers' enthusiasm and determination towards green smart technologies, as well as their pivotal role in achieving sustainable development within the maritime sector.
Zhao Yan, President of CCS
At the conclusion of the forum, CCS President Zhao Yan delivered the closing remarks. He first thanked the organizers of the London International Shipping Week for their strong support, the collaborative support from China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited, and the active participation and contributions of all attendees. He stated that this joint forum had established an excellent communication platform for the global shipping industry, promoting greater consensus among stakeholders on how green and intelligent technologies can contribute to the safe, efficient, and sustainable development of the shipping industry. He called on global shipping professionals to collaborate, tackle challenges through innovation breakthroughs, build consensus through cooperation, and jointly establish a more sustainable and resilient new ecosystem for global shipping.