DNV-Backed China-Europe Maritime Summit Highlights Cooperation as Key to Navigating Shipping’s Decarbonisation and Digital Transformation

From left: Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, Group President and CEO at DNV, Dr. Gaby Bornheim, President of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), Xu Peng, Chairman of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)

(IN BRIEF) Chinese shipbuilders and European shipowners have called for closer cooperation on vessel development, alternative fuels, energy efficiency and digitalisation during the inaugural China-Europe Maritime Summit at SMM 2026, jointly organised by CANSI, the German Shipowners’ Association and DNV. The discussions brought together senior executives from leading Chinese shipyards and design organisations, including CSSC, China Merchants Industry, Guangzhou Shipyard International, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and SDARI, alongside European shipping companies such as Vogemann Reederei, Briese Schiffahrt, Bernhard Schulte, MPC Containerships and Grieg Edge. With China accounting for around 70% of the global shipbuilding orderbook and European shipowners operating more than one-third of worldwide fleet capacity, participants argued that closer cooperation is increasingly important as the industry addresses decarbonisation, uncertain future fuel pathways and rapidly evolving digital technologies. DNV, VDR and CANSI highlighted long-term partnerships, operational flexibility and shared innovation as key elements in developing vessels capable of remaining competitive and compliant throughout decades of service.

(PRESS RELEASE) HØVIK, 4-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Chinese shipbuilders and European shipowners have called for deeper cooperation across vessel development, alternative fuels, energy efficiency and digitalisation as the maritime industry responds to decarbonisation targets, evolving regulation and uncertainty over future fuel pathways.

The call came during the inaugural China-Europe Maritime Summit at SMM 2026, jointly organised by the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI), the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) and DNV.

The summit brought together senior representatives from Chinese shipbuilding, European shipping and the wider maritime value chain to discuss how closer cooperation could support the development of efficient, flexible and future-ready vessels.

With China’s shipbuilding industry accounting for around 70% of the global orderbook and European shipowners operating more than one-third of global fleet capacity, participants highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two markets as shipping enters a period of major technological and regulatory change.

Vessel flexibility becomes increasingly important amid uncertain fuel pathways

Discussions focused on the challenge of making long-term vessel investment decisions at a time when shipowners face uncertainty around future fuels, emissions regulation and technological development.

Energy efficiency, operational flexibility and digital innovation were identified as important areas for cooperation.

Participants emphasised that vessels ordered today will remain in service for decades, making it increasingly important for shipbuilders, shipowners, classification societies and technology providers to work together on designs capable of adapting to changing operating requirements.

Alternative fuels are another major area where closer cooperation could help reduce technology risk and support the maritime sector’s decarbonisation.

DNV highlights need for decisions that support shipping for decades

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, Group President and CEO at DNV, said bringing together leaders from Chinese shipbuilding, European shipping and the wider maritime value chain is particularly important as the industry makes decisions that will influence shipping for decades.

He said the summit demonstrates a shared commitment among participants to work collectively on the future direction of the maritime industry.

CSSC sees opportunities for deeper China-Europe maritime cooperation

Xu Peng, Chairman of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), said China and Europe’s maritime industries have aligned objectives and complementary strengths.

He described the summit as a potential starting point for deeper cooperation between Chinese shipbuilders and European shipping companies.

Xu said closer engagement could broaden collaboration across the maritime value chain and support the development of a more interconnected industry ecosystem.

European shipowners emphasise importance of long-term partnerships

Dr. Gaby Bornheim, President of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), highlighted the long-term nature of vessel investment and the importance of trusted partnerships between shipowners and shipbuilders.

She noted that purchasing a new vessel is a commitment extending over decades rather than a short-term investment decision.

Bornheim said many advanced commercial vessels operating globally have resulted from cooperation between European shipowners and Chinese shipyards, underlining the role partnerships play in developing sophisticated shipping solutions.

Industry leaders discuss technology, ship design and maritime transformation

The summit included two senior-level panel discussions addressing the opportunities and challenges facing shipowners, shipbuilders and maritime technology providers.

The sessions were moderated by Dr. Martin Kröger, CEO of VDR, and Li Yanqing, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CANSI.

Chinese shipbuilding participants included senior executives from China Merchants Industry (CMI), Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) and Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI).

European shipowners and operators represented at the discussions included Vogemann Reederei, Briese Schiffahrt, Bernhard Schulte, MPC Containerships and Grieg Edge, alongside DNV.

The discussions reinforced the view that collaboration between Chinese shipbuilders and European shipowners will be increasingly important as the maritime sector develops new vessel concepts, adopts alternative fuels and integrates digital technologies.

Cooperation seen as key to managing maritime industry transformation

The summit took place against a backdrop of growing uncertainty for global shipping.

Shipowners must prepare for stricter decarbonisation requirements while simultaneously assessing future propulsion systems and fuel choices that may include multiple technological pathways.

Shipbuilders, meanwhile, face growing demand for vessels capable of achieving higher levels of efficiency while maintaining sufficient flexibility to accommodate future technologies and regulatory requirements.

The organisers said stronger China-Europe cooperation can help combine shipbuilding capacity, shipowner experience and maritime technology expertise, supporting the development of practical solutions for the next generation of commercial vessels.

Media Contact:

Margrethe Andersen
Head of External Communications Maritime
+47 47 68 22 89
margrethe.andersen@dnv.com

SOURCE: DNV