Date: January 26
The Asian giant is leading the world in terms of existing numbers of smart ports with many automated port projects underway, according to the Ministry of Transport. A key example of this trend is the world's first zero-carbon smart terminal in Tianjin, which, after going into operation, increased the working efficiency of the single bridge by 40%, while allocating 60% less staff.
According to STDaily, the biggest challenge in achieving a carbon-neutral port comes from traffic congestion in the transportation process, said Yang Rong, general manager of Tianjin Port No.2 Container Terminal Corporation, adding that now the intelligent system solves this problem effectively and has operated safely for more than one year.
Through cooperation with technology providers, the Tianjin Terminal introduced an intelligent horizontal transportation system capable of Level 4 automated driving in its operation areas. The system is compatible with driverless products from different vendors.
The port of Tianjin in north China is looking to develop a "digital twin" in three to five years, Yang Jiemin, vice president of parent company Tianjin Port Group, told reporters. Bloomberg. “All ports globally should move towards being smarter, greener and more efficient”, they added.
The Tianjin port is working with Huawei Technologies and others to address challenges facing the port sector, including how to make supply chains more resilient, Yang said. Huawei is helping that initiative with its expertise in communications technologies, artificial intelligence and autonomous driving, she said.
The company will install software and sensors in autonomous vehicles, provide wireless technology to guide vehicles on roads, and work with telecommunications companies to provide fast and reliable network connections, according to Huawei.
Robots are already at work picking up and dropping off containers at a smart terminal co-built by Huawei that began operations in 2021 and it requires only 25% of the human workforce needed to operate the neighboring docks. The terminal is also fully driverless.
The operators of the port of Tianjin, one of the largest in the world by volume of containers, have had trouble finding and retaining truck drivers to load and unload containers at their terminals, said York Yuekun, Huawei's chief technology officer for smart roads, waterways and ports.
The Tianjin port handles minerals, coal, oil, automobiles, and other merchandise in addition to containers. It is a popular port for cruise ships in north China and a center for aircraft and ship leasing. Its container throughput exceeded 21 million TEUs last year, according to the latest government work report.
A long-term job
Port automation emerged in the early 1990s as global trade increased, and facilities around the world have since invested in automating at least some of their terminal operations, according to McKinsey & Co. China has implemented policies to facilitate the development of smart ports since at least 2017, with major players such as the ports of Shanghai and Qingdao opening their first automated docks that year.
Source: MasContainer
