Midea Group Signs Strategic MOU with Hutchison Ports to Strengthen Global HVAC Supply Chain

Partnership targets 1.5 million TEU global shipping by 2027, anchored at Shenzhen's Yantian International Terminal and expanding across Hutchison Ports' worldwide network

SHENZHEN, China – July 9, 2026 – Midea Group, a global technology leader in commercial HVAC solutions including VRF systems and central air conditioning, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hutchison Ports, one of the world's largest port investors and developers, to deepen their global strategic partnership. The signing took place during the 2026 Shenzhen Port International Supply Chain High-Quality Development Conference, held in Shenzhen's Futian District under the theme "Sharing APEC Development Opportunities, Creating New Port-Shipping Cooperation Future."

A Landmark Partnership for Commercial HVAC Logistics

The two-year agreement establishes a comprehensive framework to support Midea's rapidly expanding international shipments of commercial air conditioning equipment, including VRF multi-split systems, chillers, and rooftop units destined for projects across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.

Phase one of the collaboration is anchored at Yantian International Container Terminal in Shenzhen — one of the fastest-growing deep-water container ports in South China and a critical gateway for manufacturing exports from the Greater Bay Area. Subsequent phases will scale the model across Hutchison Ports' global network, which spans 22 ports across 9 APEC economies, handling a combined throughput of 63.4 million TEU in 2025.

Three Pillars of Cooperation

The MOU defines three strategic pillars designed to address the complex logistics requirements of the commercial HVAC industry:

1. Green Logistics & Digital Transformation

The partnership will prioritize system-level data integration between Midea's supply chain management platforms and Hutchison Ports' terminal operating systems, enabling real-time cargo visibility, predictive scheduling, and carbon footprint tracking — critical capabilities for meeting the increasingly stringent sustainability requirements of global construction and infrastructure projects.

2. Priority Port Operations Support

To address the seasonal demand fluctuations characteristic of the HVAC industry — driven by pre-summer procurement cycles and large-scale construction project timelines — the agreement secures priority berthing channels during peak shipping seasons, ensuring efficient loading and discharge operations for Midea's high-volume consignments of commercial cooling equipment.

3. Multimodal Transport & Port-Extended Services

The collaboration extends beyond traditional port operations to encompass rail freight connections, container freight station services, and bonded warehousing solutions. This integrated multimodal approach is particularly significant for Midea's network of overseas manufacturing bases in Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt, Vietnam, and Mexico, enabling seamless cross-border movement of components and finished HVAC products.

Strategic Context: APEC China Year 2026

The signing comes at a pivotal moment for Asia-Pacific trade. 2026 marks the APEC "China Year," underscoring the region's deepening commitment to trade facilitation, green shipping corridors, and supply chain resilience. During the conference, Shenzhen Port signed friendly cooperation agreements with 16 ports across 10 APEC economies, and jointly launched the Shenzhen Port International Green Shipping Corridor Cooperation Initiative — a landmark six-party declaration involving the Shenzhen Transportation Bureau, Shenzhen Maritime Safety Administration, Shenzhen Port Group, Yantian International, and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

For Midea and its global B2B partners — including international distributors, EPC contractors, architects, and facility management companies — this partnership signals a structurally more reliable and transparent supply chain for commercial HVAC procurement at scale.

Leadership Perspectives

Fu Jian, President of Midea International, commented:

"Under our globalization strategy, securing reliable logistics services is the cornerstone of Midea's sustained business growth. Through practical measures such as system data integration and priority channels during peak seasons, we have full confidence in steadily achieving our target of 1.5 million TEU in global shipping by 2027."

Ip Shing Chi, Managing Director of Hutchison Ports, stated:

"Midea Group, as a globally leading technology enterprise, is a strategic partner we highly value. Midea's substantial and rapidly growing export volumes will inject significant momentum into the terminals under the Hutchison Ports network."

Record-Breaking Yantian Terminal Sets the Foundation

The strategic choice of Yantian International as the partnership's launchpad is underpinned by the terminal's exceptional recent performance. In Q1 2026, Yantian handled 4.036 million TEU — an 8.9% year-on-year increase and a record high for the same period, reinforcing its position as a premier hub for high-value manufacturing exports from southern China's industrial heartland.

What This Means for Global B2B Stakeholders

For international HVAC distributors, project engineers, and procurement managers sourcing commercial air conditioning solutions from Midea's global manufacturing network, this partnership delivers tangible operational benefits:

• Improved delivery predictability through real-time data sharing and digital tracking

• Reduced lead-time risk via priority port access during peak demand periods

• Lower total logistics cost through integrated multimodal solutions combining sea, rail, and warehouse services

• Enhanced sustainability credentials aligned with green building standards and ESG reporting requirements