The 2026 Digital Intelligence Conference on Shipping and Trade Was Held in Shanghai, Bringing Together Industry Leaders to Explore Paths for Digital Transformation in the Shipping and Trade Sectors.

　　On March 18, the 2026 Shipping Trade Digitalization Conference was held at the Shanghai International Convention Center. The conference, themed "Smart Navigation Trade, Digital Creation for the Future," was jointly organized by the magazine "China COSCO Shipping," the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), and the China Shipowners' Association. It adopted a "offline + online" integrated format, bringing together over 500 representatives from international organizations and across the industry chain to explore pathways for the digital transformation of shipping trade, address industry development challenges, and inject digital momentum into high-quality global trade development.

　　Zhu Bixin, Director and General Manager of China COSCO Shipping Group, stated that the digitalization of shipping trade is a global, full-industry-chain system project that requires global partners to work together and share resources. To achieve this, first, a standard system must be established to enable interconnection and mutual recognition; second, collaborative innovation must be promoted to deepen knowledge sharing; third, a solid foundation of security must be built to strengthen development fundamentals; and fourth, integration and empowerment must be facilitated to explore future opportunities.

　　Xu Zuyuan, former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Transport, proposed four initiatives centered on building an open, green, and win-win shipping digital ecosystem: first, to adhere to open interconnection and jointly build global digital infrastructure; second, to adhere to green integration and jointly promote sustainable development; third, to adhere to integrated innovation and unleash the "multiplier effect" of technology; and fourth, to adhere to bottom-line thinking and balance development with security.

　　BIMCO Chairman Paul Pathy suggested that all parties in the industry should deepen collaborative cooperation, leverage digital upgrades to enhance overall industry efficiency and profitability, and lead the global shipping industry toward high-quality development.

　　The conference yielded fruitful results. BIMCO signed an agreement with the China Maritime Law Association to promote the localized application of BIMCO standard contracts in the Chinese market. Additionally, COSCO Shipping Group and BIMCO jointly launched an electronic bill of lading initiative for bulk commodity trade, facilitating the widespread use of electronic bills of lading in the bulk commodity sector.

　　During the thematic dialogue session, guests focused on three major topics: "Value Creation and Business Reshaping," "Core Foundations and Security Barriers," and "Ecosystem Co-construction and Collaborative Development." They engaged in in-depth discussions, sharing diverse perspectives on key issues such as AI application scenarios, data governance, cybersecurity, talent cultivation, and the integration of green and digital technologies, providing multifaceted ideas for industry transformation.