Automated container cranes and driverless transport vehicles hum with activity at Tianjin Port in north China’s Tianjin Municipality. The once traditional port has transformed into a cutting-edge hub, embracing technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and cloud computing.
Tianjin Port now stands as the world’s first intelligent zero-carbon terminal. With the integration of smart technologies, the operating efficiency of a single gantry crane has increased by over 40 percent, while labor costs have plummeted by 60 percent. This leap in efficiency underscores China’s commitment to revolutionizing its maritime infrastructure.
Beyond Tianjin, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port—the world’s busiest port by cargo throughput—is also advancing intelligent port construction. The adoption of smart systems is reshaping China’s ports, making them more efficient, sustainable, and competitive on the global stage.
“About 90 percent of China’s foreign trade is shipped by sea. The development of smart ports will enhance operational efficiency and significantly contribute to the growth of China’s foreign trade,” said Lin Yikun, an official from the China Communications and Transportation Association.
Official data reflects this growth. In the first half of this year, China’s foreign trade reached a new high, with the trade volume of goods expanding 6.1 percent year on year to 21.17 trillion yuan (about \$2.97 trillion), according to the General Administration of Customs.
At the Tianjin International Shipping Industry Expo 2024, Steve Gordon, global head of Clarkson Research Services Ltd., emphasized China’s pivotal role in global maritime trade. “Maritime shipping is crucial to the world economy as 85 percent of all global trade is seaborne, and China plays an important role in this,” he said.
“China remains shipping’s biggest single market. In many areas of the maritime economy, China is incredibly important and has taken on market-leading positions globally,” Gordon added.
As China continues to invest in smart port construction, it not only bolsters its own foreign trade but also contributes significantly to the global economy. The modernization of ports like Tianjin and Ningbo-Zhoushan exemplifies the country’s dedication to innovation and sustainability in the maritime industry.
Reference(s):
Smart ports help China consolidate its booming foreign trade
cgtn.com
