The Parallel Forum on Standardization & Modern Green Port and Shipping of the 2023 Qingdao Forum on International Standardization kicked off in Qingdao on June 9.

The event was aimed at building a platform for the cooperation and exchange of international standardization in the shipping sector, improving the standardization system, and promoting green and sustainable development.

The parallel forum was supported by the APEC Port Services Network and organized by the National Technical Committee 530 on Port SAC, China Ports and Harbors Association, Shandong Transportation Department and Shandong Port Group (SPG).

During the event, the SPG Qingdao Port Smart and Green Port National Service Standardization Pilot Unit and the National Technical Committee 530 on Port of SAC Green Port Working Group were unveiled, and the National Port and Shipping Standards was released. SPG and its 11 ports and shipping partners also launched the Modern Green Port and Shipping Standardization Sustainable Development Initiative.

The forum saw SPG inking a strategic cooperation framework agreement on standardization with five parties, including the China Ports and Harbours Association, the China Association for Standardization, the China Waterborne Transport Research Institute, the China National Institute of Standardization and the China Classification Society.

Since its establishment on Aug 6, 2019, SPG has taken steps to implement the strategy of standardization to improve hub capacity, enlarge platform functions, and bolster green and low-carbon development through standardization.

Over the years, SPG has seen significant improvements in its network. It currently operates 337 shipping routes and 84 freight lines, and is responsible for 97 percent of the imports and exports in Shandong province.

It has continuously improved its mechanism and system for standardization and built a 1+5+N standardization system. In addition, it has formulated and unveiled over 1,800 management standards, work standards and technical standards, which has improved the governance efficiency of standardization. SPG has also issued a five-year plan for smart and green port construction and built the world's first hydrogen+5G smart and ecological terminal. It is a winner of the GPAS (Green Port Award System) award and the only port in China to earn five-star "Smart Port" and "Green Port" ratings.

SPG will use this forum as an opportunity to build a standard system featuring SPG characteristics. It will improve the international level of ports and shipping standards, hasten efforts to develop itself into a world-class sea port and enterprise, and make greater contributions to China's modernization and sustainability efforts.

The Parallel Forum on Standardization & Modern Green Port and Shipping of the 2023 Qingdao Forum on International Standardization kicks off in Qingdao on June 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]