China’s Ports Lead in Automation and AI Integration

A delegation of Chinese Academy of Engineering academicians visited the Shanghai Yangshan automated container terminal on July 18 to observe advancements in port technology. The group, led by Lin Zhongqin and Tong Xiaohua, toured the facility which utilizes automated guided vehicles and remotely operated cranes.

Operators now control cranes from control centers located up to 100 kilometers away, a shift from previous exposed, high-altitude positions. The visit showcased the success of domestically developed technologies.

The port employs an independently developed intelligent terminal production control system, dubbed the “China Core”, that enhances efficiency by approximately 30% compared to traditional methods. The system manages the entire workflow including cranes, AGVs, and rail-mounted gantry cranes.

Beyond the terminal itself, innovations extend to automated trucking hubs designed to optimize container transport and reduce energy consumption. Several ports including Ningbo Zhoushan and Qingdao have also implemented similar technologies. China now boasts 60 automated ports and aims to share its advancements globally.