by Our Economic Affairs Editor
China has made significant strides in the development of automated container and dry bulk terminals, with 52 of these facilities now operational, placing the country at the forefront of global automation in port management, according to the Ministry of Transport. These automated terminals, both constructed and under development, rank first worldwide in terms of quantity.
One such example is Qingdao Port, located in the Shandong Province, where a fully automated container terminal began operations at 9 a.m. on January 1. The terminal’s advanced infrastructure allows bridge cranes to load containers onto automated guided vehicles, while high-speed rail-mounted gantry cranes stack incoming containers with precision. This seamless operation is a direct result of automation. The project, which started in 2015 and entered its final phase in 2023, has led to a 6% increase in operational efficiency and a 15% rise in container throughput. Additionally, the terminal set a world record for the 12th time in handling efficiency, with a single bridge crane achieving an average of 60.9 container units per hour.
At Yantai Port in the same province, automation has been fully integrated into its ore terminal, improving both unloading and loading efficiencies by over 20% when compared to traditional methods. These ports exemplify China’s push to modernise its maritime infrastructure through intelligent technologies and automation.
The Ministry of Transport has highlighted that China is accelerating the construction of intelligent ports, with a strong focus on automated terminals, and has set the global standard for port automation technologies. In addition, China’s Ministry of Transport has developed technical standards for automated container and bulk terminals, which have now been adopted in ports around the world. These efforts are part of a larger strategy to enhance the resilience of port infrastructure while driving global trade efficiency.
In terms of cargo handling, Chinese ports saw a 3.4% year-on-year increase in cargo volume, reaching 16.04 billion tonnes between January and November 2024. The country’s container throughput also rose by 7.3%, totalling 300 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). These figures underscore China’s commitment to promoting intelligent transformation within its ports, increasing their service capabilities, and improving operational efficiency.
China has also constructed world-class port clusters in regions such as the Bohai Rim, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, further cementing its position as a leader in global port operations.
Meanwhile, tensions between the United States and China have escalated as state-owned shipping giant Cosco and container manufacturer CIMC were placed on the US Department of Defense’s sanctions list. These companies, along with more than 130 other Chinese firms, face restrictions due to alleged military ties. Although these sanctions are unlikely to directly affect the commercial operations of Cosco and CIMC, they may tarnish the reputation of these firms internationally. Despite this, Cosco Shipping has assured that its global operations will continue uninterrupted, emphasising its commitment to adhering to international laws and providing logistical services worldwide.
Cosco Shipping, which operates the world’s largest shipping fleet, and CIMC, the leading container manufacturer, are vital players in global trade. The sanctions are seen as part of the ongoing geopolitical struggle between the US and China, with the US seeking to curb China’s military advancement. Cosco has previously faced sanctions, including during the Trump administration for alleged involvement in transporting Iranian oil, though these were later lifted.
