At the 2026 Sustainable Global Leaders Conference held in Shanghai from October 20 to 22, themed "Building a Resilient Future Together: Global Governance, Innovation-Driven Growth, and Industrial Upgrading," Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), delivered a speech.
Jens Meier stated that the world is undergoing profound transformation, with climate change, geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, and demographic shifts continuously reshaping the global landscape, and ports play a critical role in this transformation.
He first focused on the issue of shipping decarbonization, noting that the shipping industry has made significant progress in recent years, with green shipping corridors gradually being implemented worldwide as a viable path toward cleaner shipping and sustainable logistics.
"Ports can build infrastructure and create supporting conditions for development, but the green transformation of shipping cannot be achieved by one party alone — it requires the entire shipping value chain to work together," Jens Meier emphasized. Shipping companies, terminal operators, energy suppliers, and governments must advance in coordination.
He noted that the Port of Hamburg is actively developing green shipping corridor projects and continues to deepen collaboration with Chinese partners. The key goal for the future is to connect scattered individual projects into a global network and drive the energy transition in shipping at scale.
On digitalization and artificial intelligence, Jens Meier proposed that industry discussions about AI are often confined to the technology itself, but the core of artificial intelligence is ultimately people, and its value comes not only from algorithms but from the integration of people, data, and technology.
The Port of Hamburg has already deployed digital tools such as digital twins, sensors, drones, and AI solutions to optimize port infrastructure maintenance, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen supply chain resilience. The goal of technology is not to replace workers but to empower people, helping them make better, more efficient, and safer decisions.
On this basis, he proposed that "people-centered sustainable development" is the foundation of transformation. Whether it is decarbonization efforts, supply chain resilience enhancement, or digitalization upgrades, all transformation work depends on talent support, and the industry needs diverse professional forces including engineers, IT specialists, and environmental experts.
This requires the industry to continuously invest in education, skills training, and regular knowledge exchange, attracting a new generation of talent to join the shipping and logistics industry and jointly define the future of global trade.
The following is the full transcript of the speech:
Distinguished guests, dear colleagues and friends:
It is a great honor to speak here today and, on behalf of the Port of Hamburg, to extend sincere greetings to the Sustainable Global Leaders Conference being held in Shanghai.
I am Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority and President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors.
We are living in an era of profound change. Climate change, geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, and demographic shifts are reshaping our world. But ports are not merely adapting passively — they are helping to solve these challenges.
Let me begin with decarbonization. In recent years, the shipping industry has made important progress. Around the world, green shipping corridors are taking shape as a practical path toward cleaner shipping and sustainable logistics. Ports can provide infrastructure and create the right framework conditions. But real progress requires a shared commitment from the entire shipping value chain. We need shipping companies, terminal operators, energy suppliers, and governments to move forward together.
At the Port of Hamburg, we are actively participating in the development of green shipping corridors and cooperating with Chinese partners. The next step is to connect these individual projects into a global network and accelerate the energy transition in shipping at scale.
The second topic I want to address is digitalization and artificial intelligence. Discussions about AI often focus only on the technology itself. But in my view, artificial intelligence is ultimately about people. The true value of AI comes not only from algorithms but from connecting people, data, and technology.
In Hamburg, we use digital twins, sensors, drones, and AI solutions to optimize infrastructure management, improve efficiency, and enhance resilience. Our goal is not to replace people but to enable them to make better, faster, and safer decisions.
This brings me to my final point: people-centered sustainable development. Whether it is decarbonization, resilience, or digitalization, all transformation depends on people. We need engineers, IT experts, environmental specialists, and many other talented professionals.
Therefore, we must invest in education, training, and continuous knowledge exchange. We must also inspire the next generation to join this industry and jointly shape the future of global trade and logistics.
Technology alone cannot create a sustainable future; it is people who truly create the future. If we are to build a resilient future together, we must simultaneously advance sustainable development, embrace innovation, and empower people.
Thank you very much for listening! I wish everyone inspiring discussions, fruitful cooperation, and a successful conference! Best wishes from Hamburg. Thank you!
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