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

Exhibition stall at TISIE 2025 

By Chitral Jayawarna

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.

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.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority Additional Managing Director of Operations Lal Weerasinghe said the authority maintains excellent cooperation not just with Tianjin Port Group but across China, highlighting the emergence of world-class Chinese firms like COSCO Shipping and Chinese global port operators such as China Merchant Group.

Weerasinghe also credited the Belt and Road Initiative for better connecting Sri Lanka to global markets and creating added value.

“China’s robust port and shipping economy significantly underpins our links. We anticipate deepening cooperation with Chinese port partners to advance our maritime logistics engagement,” he added.

SLPA’s dedicated exhibition booth attracted significant attention from industry leaders and international delegates. The exhibit highlighted the Port of Colombo’s strengths in container transhipment, its strategic location along the East-West shipping route, ongoing infrastructure developments, and future expansion plans. Key promotional materials, videos, and interactive content illustrated SLPA’s vision to become a smart, green, and competitive regional maritime centre.

Through this platform, SLPA was able to explore opportunities for knowledge exchange, joint ventures, digital innovation, and green port development in collaboration with leading global port operators and maritime service providers. The event also provided an ideal environment to discuss long-term cooperation between the ports of Tianjin and Colombo, focusing on enhancing trade connectivity under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Building strategic maritime linkages

Participation in TISIE 2025 provided a valuable opportunity for SLPA to further enhance its strategic relationship with Tianjin Port Group, one of the largest and most technologically advanced ports in China. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, including possible knowledge exchange programs, port technology benchmarking, digital port systems, and environmental sustainability initiatives.

Moreover, the Expo offered SLPA the opportunity to engage with a wide range of stakeholders from ports across China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. It also allowed the Authority to assess the latest global trends in port automation, green energy transition, and integrated supply chain solutions areas that are central to SLPA’s strategic transformation agenda.

Showcasing innovation and future readiness

At TISIE 2025, SLPA also placed significant emphasis on showcasing its innovation-driven approach toward the future of maritime logistics. Presentations by the SLPA delegation highlighted upcoming smart port technologies, including fully and semi-automated port operation systems, automated cargo handling solutions, and blockchain applications in port logistics. These initiatives are part of SLPA’s broader digital transformation roadmap aimed at increasing operational efficiency, reducing turnaround times, and enhancing transparency in supply chain processes. Additionally, SLPA reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by outlining plans for renewable energy integration, emission reduction strategies, and eco-friendly infrastructure upgrades. These forward-thinking initiatives drew attention from global industry leaders and positioned SLPA as a progressive player ready to lead South Asia’s maritime industry into a new era of innovation and environmental responsibility.

A platform for long-term collaboration

The visit by the SLPA team was not only a diplomatic and commercial success but also aligned with broader geopolitical and economic initiatives, such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), where Sri Lanka serves as a vital maritime link connecting the East and the West. SLPA’s participation demonstrated Sri Lanka’s willingness to engage in multi-dimensional cooperation, including investment promotion, shipping connectivity, and digital maritime services. The event also reinforced the Port of Colombo’s reputation as one of the most efficient and well-connected transhipment ports in the Indian Ocean.

As a forward-looking organisation, SLPA remains committed to fostering strong international partnerships, attracting foreign direct investment, and promoting maritime innovation to support Sri Lanka’s economic development. Engagements such as TISIE 2025 help create valuable networking opportunities while aligning SLPA with global best practices.

SLPA Additional Managing Director (Operations) Lal Weerasighe explains opportunities and developments in the Sri Lanka Ports and maritime sectors

SLPA Additional Managing Director (Operations) Lal Weerasighe, Tianjin Port (Group) Co. Director/Vice President Dr. Jack Xunjie Luo, SLPA Chief Manager (Marketing and Business Development/Communication and Public Relations) Chitral Jayawarna, Deputy Chief Manager (Operations) J.R.M. Sooriya Bandara and Electrical Engineer JCT – Eng M.R.M. Rouzin Azar