The transformation of Qingdao Port into a fully automated container terminal, driven by digitalization and intelligentization, is bringing about cumulative acceleration and expansion of Qingdao City's economy amid China's modernization drive, according to experts.
At the heart of the terminal's operations is A-TOS, a cutting-edge management system developed by the port's information technology department in Shandong Province, eastern China, which seamlessly integrates and controls all aspects of terminal operations, including scheduling, distribution, and equipment management.
The average loading and unloading rate of the terminal's automated bridge is 36.2 containers per hour.
"It's the first fully automated container terminal in Asia, and the most efficient automated terminal in the world. Qingdao Port now has a Europe route, a route to the Americas, and a route to Japan and South Korea," said Chen Qiang, IT manager at the terminal.
"Qingdao Port, by serving Northeast Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries and the surrounding region, has developed into a highly market-oriented and internationalized shipping and trade hub," said Zhang Yansheng, Chief Research Fellow with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.
"The ongoing development of Qingdao and its orientation towards the marine economy is going to be a feature of modernization, to link traders with finance, with domestic supply chains and production," said Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor with the Queensland University of Technology.
Qingdao boasts a naturally advantageous port that remains ice-free throughout the year, allowing for uninterrupted, year-round operations and making it an ideal hub for maritime trade and commerce.
"Qingdao has traditionally been a trading center. In the changes taking place at Qingdao Port, I believe the key is digitalization, the internet and intelligentization. This is bringing about the cumulative acceleration and expansion of Qingdao's economy," said Zhang.
Qingdao port revolutionizes operations with cutting-edge automation
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called for enhanced bilateral cooperation and friendship with Singapore when he met with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Monday.
Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the long-term and stable development of China-Singapore relations has benefited from the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, who have upheld the correct political direction.
The two sides should continue to enhance mutual trust, respect each other's core interests, and ensure the steady and sustained progress of their friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.
Gan said that Singapore highly values its relations with China, firmly upholds the one-China principle, opposes the secessionist forces in Taiwan, and is willing to maintain close exchanges with China at all levels to promote greater development of bilateral relations.
Ding and Gan co-chaired four China-Singapore mechanism meetings on bilateral cooperation, namely, the 21st meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 26th meeting of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council, the 17th meeting of the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council, and the ninth meeting of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council.
They comprehensively reviewed and summarized the progress of practical cooperation between the two countries, clarifying the direction and priorities for cooperation in the next stage.
Both sides agreed to deepen the alignment of development plans, promote the upgrading of major projects, cultivate and strengthen new quality productive forces, jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, and better promote the development of both countries and the prosperity and stability of the region.
Following the meetings, Ding and Gan witnessed together the exhibition of achievements in China-Singapore cooperation, and attended the launching ceremony of two freight trains under the China-Singapore Multi-modal Demonstration Project. They also visited the comprehensive exhibition hall of China-Singapore interconnectivity projects and Chongqing digital city operation and governance center.
At the invitation of Ding, Gan is on a visit to China from December 15 to 16.
Chinese vice premier calls for enhanced cooperation with Singapore
