The 18th China (Shenzhen) International Logistics and Supply Chain Fair took place successfully at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center from September 23-25, 2024. YANTIAN, a key player in the shipping industry, attended the event, partnering with global logistics industry leaders to seize emerging trends, explore new markets, and forge collective strength for shared success.

This year's fair set a new benchmark in scale, spanning nearly 100,000 square meters and hosting over 70 forums and business events. It attracted nearly 2,000 exhibitors from 51 countries and regions. To mark the 30th anniversary of the Shenzhen Logistics & Supply Chain Management Association, Lawrence Shum, Managing Director of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, was invited by Secretary General Zheng Yanling for a special interview in the "Top Talk" series, co-produced by Shenzhen Special Zone Daily and Yiliu Media. In the interview, Lawrence discussed YANTIAN's unique advantages, development plans, and environmental protection initiatives, offering a deep dive into the supply chain's evolving landscape and the industry's future directions.

Gathering of global guests

YANTIAN hosted two customer receptions during the event, welcoming esteemed guests including Han Liqing, Director of Shenzhen Transport Bureau, Sun Weiping, President of the Shenzhen Logistics & Supply Chain Management Association, Zheng Yanling, Secretary General of the Shenzhen Logistics & Supply Chain Management Association, alongside representatives from leading shipping companies, third-party logistics providers, cargo owners, freight forwarders, and delegates from Hutchison Ports’ global shipping network. Together, we exchanged valuable insights on the latest industry trends and explored the future of shipping and logistics.

In his welcome speech at the reception, Lawrence Shum stated, “China (Shenzhen) International Logistics and Supply Chain Fair has come to its 18th edition, and YANTIAN has been participating in this esteemed gathering over the 18 years, where we come together to envision and shape the future of shipping and logistics. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our friends and partners for their unwavering support throughout the years. YANTIAN’s successes would not have been possible without the strong leadership of the government, the reform and innovation from port supervisory authorities, the dedication and teamwork of our staff and fellow port professionals, and the trust and collaboration of our customers and stakeholders from home and abroad. These achievements are the result of our collective efforts, and this success is a shared honour for us all. Once again, I offer my sincere thanks to all our supporters —Your trust and partnership are invaluable to us. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey!”

△Lawrence Shum, Managing Director of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, delivered his welcome speech

Going green together for the future

On the afternoon of September 23, the Shenzhen World Port Chain Strategy Forum 2024 was successfully held. Under the theme "Smart, Green, Sharing", the forum welcomed representatives from Shenzhen’s international sister ports, including Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, Port Darwin in Australia, Port of Gdańsk Poland, Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Ports of Barcelona and Valencia in Spain, Port of Duisburg in Germany, and the Sharjah Port in UAE. Lawrence Shum, Managing Director of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN and President of the Shenzhen Ports Association, delivered the opening speech, stating, "As vital hubs in international trade, ports not only need to strive for optimal economic efficiency, but also prioritise green development, smart innovation, and resource sharing. This is not just a proactive response to the evolving global shipping industry landscape but also the key to ensuring the sustainable development of the port sector."

As a critical platform for global port and shipping industry collaboration, the forum has, over the years, significantly contributed to fostering idea exchange and deepening cooperation within the sector. Participants engaged in discussions on the latest advancements in the global port chain, emerging trends in port and shipping dynamics, and new business models. Neville Lam, Commercial Director of Commercial Department of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, delivered a keynote speech on low-carbon development, reaffirming YANTIAN’s commitment to continuously enhancing digital, intelligent, and green capabilities. We are dedicated to embracing new-quality productive forces and building a world-class international shipping hub while making active contribution to "building green ports and protecting clear waters and blue skies."

As a key hub in the global supply chain, YANTIAN handles more than 1/3 of Guangdong Province's international trade and over 25% of China's exports to the US, securing the first place of Shenzhen in terms of export volume for 31 years in a row.

Looking ahead, we will further expand our service network and global connections. Committed to a customer-centric approach, we plan to collaborate closely with partners to develop supply chain solutions tailored to customer needs. We remain dedicated to enhancing Shenzhen’s role as a logistics hub with global influence, promoting high-quality development of the international trade of China, ensuring the stability and seamlessness of industrial and supply chains, and facilitating the achievement of carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals.