Chinese automated container terminal sets new world record

The automated container terminal of the Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province on Thursday set a new world record in performance when the average single-machine operational efficiency of its bridge cranes reached 62.62 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) per hour.

This achievement marks the 13th time that Qingdao Port's automated container terminal has broken the world record for loading and unloading efficiency, underscoring China's prowess in the field of automated terminal construction.

Since the beginning of the year, the port has been making continuous efforts in improving software systems, equipment, and process optimization. The smooth loading and unloading operations were achieved by its self-developed intelligent control systems.

"Since the beginning of this year, we have also integrated advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and large models to select the optimal stacking position from over 150,000 container locations within milliseconds. Additionally, by integrating visual perception and automatic guidance technologies, we have reduced the interval between moving automatic guided vehicles by 2.6 percent and increased their running speed by 3.6 percent," said Chen Qiang, manager of the software development department at the automated terminal of Qingdao Port.

The intelligent control system can also achieve millisecond-level spot selecting and dynamic data refreshing, as well as rapid equipment deployment, which greatly enhanced the level of speed, accuracy and intelligence in terminal operations.

"In April this year, the port completed another iteration and upgrade of its automated loading and unloading system. This also reduced the height of the spreader by 16.6 meters, directly saving nearly 20 seconds in the operation time for loading and unloading a single container," said Wang Peishan, an employee at the terminal.

At present, many technological achievements made by the automated container terminal of Qingdao Port have been successfully introduced to multiple ports both at home and abroad, providing a "Chinese solution" for the intelligent upgrading of traditional terminals.

Chinese automated container terminal sets new world record

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with a delegation from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of Portugal led by Hugo Soares, the secretary-general and the parliamentary leader of the party, in Beijing on Friday.

Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Portugal has been continuously deepened.

China is ready to strengthen exchanges between political parties and legislative bodies of the two countries, promote cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and contribute to the sound and steady development of China-Portugal and China-EU relations, he said.

Li also briefed the delegation on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

Soares said that Portugal firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries through inter-party channels.

Senior Chinese legislator meets Portugal's PSD delegation