The naming and unveiling ceremony for the London Representative Office of the China Shipowners' Association (CSA) took place in London, in the United Kingdom, on June 6.

More than 60 participants from the International Maritime Organization, UK government agencies and shipping companies, as well as Chinese institutions and businesses based in the UK, attended the event.

Wang Qi, minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Zhang Yong, executive vice-president of COSCO SHIPPING, and Liu Shanghai, executive vice-president of CSA, and other guests jointly unveiled the plaque for the CSA London Representative Office.

Guy Platten, secretary-general of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), stated in his speech that London is a core hub for global shipping governance, and the establishment of the CSA London representative office demonstrates CSA's commitment to deepening international cooperation and participating in global shipping affairs.

He expressed hopes that the CSA London office will strengthen multi-faceted exchanges and in-depth collaboration with international organizations such as ICS and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Wang Qi, minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, emphasized that shipping is a vital carrier for economic globalization and a crucial pillar of the world economy.

He expects the office to provide more services and support for Chinese shipping enterprises in the UK and serve as a larger platform for dialogue and exchanges between the two nations in the shipping sector.

Zhang Yong, executive vice-president of COSCO SHIPPING, said that London is a global hub of shipping intelligence, and the CSA's decision to establish a representative office here is a strategic move for China's shipping industry to proactively embrace the future of global shipping development.

Zhang also highlighted the company's commitment to work with stakeholders worldwide in guiding green standards and regulations, jointly innovating green technologies, establishing green energy supply chains, empowering artificial intelligence and digitalization, providing financial support for green transformation, and fostering cooperation in green transformation governance. These collaborative efforts are intended to elevate the overall level of cooperation within the green shipping industry.

Liu Shanghai, executive vice-president of CSA, stated that green and low-carbon development is the only path for the global shipping industry to achieve sustainability, and only through international cooperation and resource integration can the sector break through transformation bottlenecks.

CSA will use its London office as a link to work with the international community to contribute wisdom and strength to the prosperity and sustainable development of global shipping.

A green shipping seminar was also held during the ceremony. Simon Bennett, deputy secretary-general of ICS, and Gary Crawford from Crystal Logistics (UK) Ltd delivered professional reports on green shipping and shipowner services, sharing cutting-edge practices and solutions.