China gets smarter

Ports are a fundamental hub type facility and important support for economic development. That’s the view of the Chinese president, Xi Jinping and echoed by the China Merchants Port Group at this year’s IAPH conference.

“Through the use of smart terminals, port community platforms and port to port networks, we have created a single port digital infrastructure for the whole community,” said Robin Li, vice president, CM Port.

Port model

Smart ports can enhance higher efficiency upon transportation between land and sea, said Mr Li.

He told delegates that the group has been using blockchain technology to increase efficiency between its hub and feeder ports.

A smart terminal said Mr Li relies on an independent and controllable core production system made up of single port digital infrastructure, which can be quickly replicated.

The digital system with the single port can then provide data connection hubs and value added service applications for use in the whole port ecosystem.

In the Guangdong-Hong-Kong-Macao Greater Bay area of China, a blockchain combination port network between Shenzhen Port and the inland river feeder terminal was built to achieve a breakthrough in the customs clearance process model.

Mr Li says that the group’s smart port development in China can be used as a model in other countries and that the country is open to collaborate closely with global partners and players to exchange “global industry wisdom.”