Leaders from the world's seven hub ports gathered in Shanghai on Wednesday vowing to join hands to cope with the challenging economic conditions.

Operators of seven ports — PSA International, Hutchison Port Holdings, APM Terminals, DP World, Port of Long Beach, Port of Rotterdam and Shanghai International Port (Group) Co Ltd (SIPG) — had their delegates attend the First Global Ports Leaders’ Conference in Shanghai.

The conference will become an annual event and serve as a port leaders' communication and exchange platform.

The delegates from the seven ports agreed to strengthen their bilateral or multi-lateral partnerships, jointly improve industrial standards, facilitate technology innovation and accelerate the integrated development of these ports.

By sharing experience, the seven ports will be able to learn from each other in the areas of operations, marketing, information application and safety management among other activities.

Choosing Shanghai as the venue for the first port summit has highlighted Shanghai's role as a global shipping center, said Chen Xuyuan, chairman of China’s largest port operator, SIPG.

SIPG processed 24.22 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs of containers) in the first nine months of this year, a growth of 1.9 percent year-on-year, according to Chen.

"It seems our yearly goal of 32.5 million TEUs is reachable. Therefore, SIPG will remain the world's No 1 (container port)," said Chen.

The 2013 Global Ports Leader's Exchange will be held in Singapore, with its theme centering on environment, safety and security.

wang_ying@chinadaily.com.cn