Tianjin International Shipping Industry Expo 2025 in China: Strategic platform to strengthen bilateral port relations

THE third edition of the Tianjin International Shipping Industry Expo (TISIE) 2025 was successfully held from 15 to 17 May in Tianjin City, China. This flagship maritime event, jointly organised by the Tianjin Port Group and the Tianjin Municipal Government, served as a significant platform for global maritime stakeholders to engage, collaborate, and explore future oriented strategies for the shipping and port industries.

- BY CHITRAL JAYAWARNA

Sri Lanka Ports Authority's prominent role

For the second consecutive year, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) was invited to participate in the Expo by the Tianjin Port Group, demonstrating the strong and growing partnership between the two port institutions. Tianjin Port Group had fully sponsored the visit. SLPA’s continued presence at TISIE underscores its commitment to strengthening ties with leading global ports and positioning the Port of Colombo as a premier maritime and logistics hub in the South Asian region. The team from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, in the presentations highlighted all terminals in operation at the Port of Colombo.

SLPA’s participation in TISIE 2025 followed the success of its involvement in TISIE 2024, where the Authority’s exhibition and engagement received high praise from international partners. The 2025 edition further reinforced the Port of Colombo’s role as a key transhipment hub in South Asia and highlighted Sri Lanka’s potential as a regional maritime logistics centre.

The SLPA delegation, led by the Additional Managing Director — Operations, included senior officials from key operational and commercial divisions. The team engaged in high-level discussions, participated in business forums, and met with international stakeholders to explore opportunities for collaboration in areas such as terminal operations, digital transformation, maritime training, port sustainability, and investment facilitation.