On September 5 and 6, 2011, the two-day international symposium on “Regional Sustainability by Green Logistics in Learning Regions” was successfully held in Shanghai by the University of Bremen, Bremen Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL), Shanghai Maritime University (SMU) and China-US Research Institute of Shipping Economics of Shanghai International Shipping Institute (SISI).
    SMU Professor Yan Wei, and Mr. Stefan Moebs, Deputy Consul-General of Germany in Shanghai, delivered welcome speeches to all participating guests on behalf of Shanghai Maritime University and the German side, respectively. The German organizer, Professor Haasis of the University of Bremen, elaborated the importance of the symposium and addressed a speech on “Achieving Efficient and Intensive Use of Energy through Green Logistics”; while the Chinese organizer, Professor Sha Mei of SMU, delivered a report on “Simulation and Modeling of Container Terminal Planning and Operating Management”. Guest Xu Dazhen, Deputy Director of the Administration Commission of Shanghai Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, presented a report on “Management of Shipping Service Cluster of Shanghai Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone”. Opinions were also heard from Dr. Hendrick (ISL), Dr. Zhao Dong (University of Bremen), and Dr. Irina (University of Bremen) on the themes of traffic jam, development of logistic parks, and cluster management, respectively; Professor Liu Hong of Shanghai Maritime University, Professor Deng Aimin of Hunan University, Professor Yang Hualong of Dalian Maritime University, and Dr. Wu Jianhuan of the Bank of Communications also gave talks on low-carbon shipping, intelligent transport, port logistics, and shipping financial markets. More than 50 representatives from the University of Bremen, Shanghai Maritime University, SISI, Dalian Maritime University, Hunan University, Administration Commission of Shanghai Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone,, Bank of Communications, COSCO, China Shipping, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, and other enterprises and institutions attended the symposium and carried out lively discussions on hot issues.
    With the rapid development of logistics informationization and networking process, the sustainability and energy saving technologies of logistics, port and shipping have been increasingly receiving universal attentions from national governments and the international society. In order to alleviate the pressure imposed on environment by economic development and growing energy consumption, and to promote the development of energy saving technologies in such domains, governments have attached increasing importance to the sustainable development of logistics and ports. The convocation of the symposium on energy saving, environmental protection and sustainable development therefore embodies momentous implications in such a context. All participants expressed their willingness to take this symposium as an opportunity to promote mutual exchanges and cooperation between China and Germany in logistics, port and shipping.
    Focusing on international research and cooperation in shipping and logistics, ISL has yielded substantial successes through collaboration with research institutions and enterprises from Europe, Russia, China and Arabian countries, having ranked among Europe’s leading international logistics research institutions. Professor Haasis and other guests paid a special visit to SISI after the symposium. Both sides will explore future cooperation in research and training programs.