BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Scenes once only seen in science fiction -- ships plotting routes autonomously, identifying obstacles in real time, and docking at ports with fully automated cranes -- are quickly becoming the new normal in China's maritime industry.
Driven by a surge in artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, the world's largest shipping nation is actively pivoting toward "smart shipping," which experts say is essential for developing "new quality productive forces" and securing supply chains.
"Smart shipping is a water transport system focused on vessel autonomy, supported by digital infrastructure and guaranteed by collaborative operational control," said Geng Xiongfei, an expert from the country's Ministry of Transport (MOT). He noted that developing this sector is essential for improving safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
The stakes are high. China currently boasts the world's largest maritime fleet and the world's largest cluster of ports, handling the highest volume of cargo and containers globally for years in a row.
Recent months have seen a flurry of activity as new equipment and technologies move from labs to open waters. For instance, last month, the "Ning Yuan Dian Kun" -- the world's largest and China's first 10,000-tonne-class pure electric intelligent container ship -- launched commercial operations at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. Powered by box-type batteries, the vessel is equipped with all-weather visual perception and intelligent route planning capabilities.
The shift to electric power is expected to save 580 tonnes of fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 1,400 tonnes annually, marking a major step in green logistics. It not only demonstrates China's breakthrough in intelligent ship technology but also aligns with the global trend of green shipping.
Vessel autonomy remains the core focus of this technological revolution. According to Geng, China has seen a succession of intelligent ships hit the water. Some of these vessels have already entered normalized operations, while auxiliary decision-making smart devices are being applied to mainstream bulk carriers, tankers, and container ships.
However, a "smart ship" needs a "smart port." China has already built 60 automated container and dry bulk terminals, with automated berths accounting for around 28 percent of those over 10,000 tonnes. Geng noted that China has forged a path of independent innovation in smart port construction, setting global standards for intelligence, dependability, and loading efficiency.
The synergy between ship and shore was dramatically demonstrated in February at Qingdao Port's automated terminal in east China's Shandong Province. The "Zhifei," China's first coastal intelligent container merchant ship, completed a landmark end-to-end fully unmanned container operation. It achieved fully autonomous navigation, berthing, and mooring, seamlessly coordinating with automated cranes for loading and unloading without human intervention.
To formalize this momentum, Chinese authorities recently unveiled an action plan to accelerate the deep integration of cutting-edge technologies with the shipping industry.
Chen Deli, an official from the MOT's maritime agency, stated that the ministry is expediting pilot projects related to smart shipping.
"Next, we will coordinate with multiple stakeholders to build a batch of representative pilot ships, routes, and comprehensive pilot zones to promote the commercial application of all elements of smart shipping," said Chen. ■
