China integrates AI into automatic port operations
At a port in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China, automated cranes use artificial intelligence (AI) to unload cargo from ships, while driverless vehicles move precisely between berths. This is the automatic port revolution taking place in China. Nansha Phase IV Port in Guangzhou, completed in November 2024, is one of China's 52 fully automated ports by the end of 2024, according to the Ministry of Transport.
These 52 ports stretch along the Chinese coast, from Bohai Bay to the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Greater Bay area, forming a world-leading network in terms of scale, performance and technology. "Previously, crane operators worked in 40-meter-high cabins, trying to see the containers below," said Mr. Yang Xuan, a veteran operator at Guangzhou port. "Now, we work in a smart control room hundreds of meters from the ship, with much higher efficiency and safety."
This terminal integrates advanced technologies including the Bac Dau navigation system, 5G communications, automated driving and AI. Intelligent guided vehicles automatically calculate the optimal route, while intelligent algorithms coordinate all loading and unloading equipment. This achievement is transforming productivity. In eastern China's Shandong province, Qingdao Port's automated terminal set the 11th world record for loading and unloading speed last December, with each crane handling an average of 60.6 containers per hour, more than double that of traditional terminals (about 25 - 28 containers per hour).
Cooperation between automated ports has significantly improved shipping efficiency. The "FAST" shipping route between Shanghai and Guangzhou reduces freight costs by 65% compared to road transport. The rapid development of port automation in China relies on domestically developed systems. According to a report on global automated container terminals in 2024, China's terminal operation system has been mature since 1997 when the first domestic version was introduced.
Ningbo - Zhoushan Port's n-TOS system optimizes operations through intelligent yard planning and automated loading, while Shanghai Port's iTOS system streamlines vessel operations. These improvements enable major ports to complete comprehensive automation upgrades. Many ports across China are also increasingly integrating AI solutions. In March this year, Sinotrans South China Co., Ltd launched an AI assistant using DeepSeek's language model, allowing customers to make queries about delivery status in simple language.
"Whether asking about berthing plans, container movements or loading progress, customers receive quick and accurate responses through simple commands," said Mr. Ye Zengjian, support engineer at the company.
An Khang (According to CGTN)