Tianjin container terminal embraces AI, green tech

Tianjin Port's intelligent container terminal has recently achieved fully automated and unmanned loading/unloading operations, integrating cutting-edge technologies such as Beidou navigation, 5G communications and artificial intelligence-powered transport robots.

On Dec 25, the patented technology "alongshore fully automated container terminal handling system and its process" won the 13th Tianjin Patent Gold Award.

Unmanned quay cranes precisely grasp containers, while AI transport robots seamlessly shuttle back and forth.

"The digital system provides real-time mapping of production operations, making the entire process resemble a meticulously choreographed 'digital ballet'," said Qu Ming, deputy director of the digital transformation office and director of the big data center at Tianjin Port Group.

"Autonomous control of core technologies is the key to Tianjin Port's smart transformation, and we hope to leverage digital transformation as a new driver for high-quality port development," Qu said.

On Jan 17, 2023, Tianjin Port Group announced the completion of the world's first fully internet of things container terminal, marking significant progress in the deep application and integration of high-tech technologies such as IoT, big data and AI at Tianjin Port.

Yang Rong, general manager of Tianjin Port second container terminal company, said Tianjin Port runs a fully IoT-enabled container terminal which was upgraded from the previously established global first "smart zero-carbon" terminal.

"On the wharf, wind turbines and photovoltaic panels are used to generate electricity. The wharf has truly achieved 100 percent reliance on electricity, with 100 percent of the electricity being green power, and 100 percent of the green power being self-produced and self-sufficient. This also indicates that our wharf is a green, low-carbon and energy-efficient wharf," said Yang Jiemin, vice-president of Tianjin Port Group.

In addition to ships docking at the port, heavy trucks for port freight transportation have also adopted new energy reliance.

"In June 2024, the new energy heavy truck charging base jointly established by us and Tianjin Port Bulk Logistics Co was put into operation," said He Rui, a comprehensive energy technician in the marketing department of Tianjin Binhai Electric Power Co. "With 35 high-power charging piles of 300 kilowatts each, the base can meet the daily charging needs of approximately 250 new energy heavy trucks."

Currently, Tianjin Port's installed capacity of wind power, photovoltaic and other new energy sources exceeds 150 megawatts, with an annual power generation capacity of 350 million kilowatt-hours, meeting over 70 percent of Tianjin Port Group's power production needs.

Last year, during the hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Tianjin Port efficiently completed the transshipment of trains traveling from Korgos, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, to Uzbekistan. The goods were transported directly to Tashkent within two weeks via containers, further facilitating the international logistics channels between Tianjin and other member states of the SCO, and injecting new impetus into the economic and trade cooperation of the SCO.

Zhang Kan, head of Mongolia Project Business at Tianjin Port Logistics Development Co, said: "We will continue to leverage Tianjin Port's geographical advantages to further broaden port functions and port area development, as well as to further facilitate international logistics channels between Tianjin and Central Asia."

Chen Yijun contributed to this story.