The Smart Port Logistics Service Platform is a full-chain port logistics solution with a digital platform at its core and intelligent equipment as support. As a result of the integration of such technologies as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and 5G, it eliminates the information barriers between all the links of "cargo - ships - terminals - yards - land transportation," thus implementing "information transparency, operation automation, scheduling intelligence, and integrated services" for port logistics.
The core first of all reflects the breakthroughs of the platform in three aspects: Information collaboration – breaking down information silos among "shippers, shipping companies, terminals, and customs" in order to obtain real-time sharing of data such as orders, customs declarations, and loading/unloading operations. Intelligent operations – using unmanned equipment instead of manual labor to carry out highly repetitive and high-risk tasks thus efficiency and safety are improved. Third, service extension – extending the range of "loading/unloading service" to the value-added services including "logistics scheme design, supply chain finance, and full-process tracking".
The main point of this platform could be considered as the "Three Increases and Three Decreases": increasing operational efficiency (container throughput efficiency raised by 20%-30%), enhancing service quality (cargo customs clearance time shortened by more than 50%), and elevating resource utilization (yard space utilization rate went up by 15%); reducing operating costs (labor costs cut by 30%-40%), lowering error rates (cargo misdelivery rate dropped to less than 0.01%), and decreasing carbon emissions (energy consumption per unit of cargo decreased by 10%-15%).
Applications: The smart system has outlined three typical application scenarios based on port types (container ports, bulk cargo ports, fishing ports) and service requirements.
1. The main feature of the system for large container hub ports like Shanghai Port, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is to solve the problem of "efficiency and collaboration under high throughput". For instance, using the "smart platform + unmanned equipment" model at Phase IV of Shanghai Yangshan Port, it has enabled full-process automation of the whole logistics chain: "vessel berthing - container unloading - yard storage - truck transportation - container loading and vessel departure".
Without human intervention through the whole process, unmanned quay cranes automatically lift containers and transfer them to the intelligent yard via AGVs. At the same time, shippers are able to monitor the live location of their goods via the platform and finish customs clearance formalities online, thus the entire customs clearance time is shortened from the standard 2-3 days to under 4 hours.
The container throughput capacity of the IVth phase Yangshan Port in this case is 4 million TEUs per year, with the operational efficiency being 30% higher than that of traditional terminals and labor costs reduced by 70%.
2. For bulk cargo ports like Qinhuangdao Port and Huanghua Port (mainly handling coal and ores), the system aims at improving "cargo measurement accuracy" and "operational safety":
Intelligent Measurement System: through laser weighing, video monitoring, and AI algorithms it obtains loading/unloading volume of bulk cargo automatically thus it completely avoids manual measurement errors (the error rate is changed from ±2% to ±0.5%);
Unmanned Ship Unloaders: are dust-suppressed units with dust covers and equipped with spraying dust-suppression equipment thus they suppress dust at the same time as they grab coal. There is no need for workers on the site, thus the risk of occupational diseases is also minimized;
Safety Monitoring Module: It detects and records incidents such as "workers not wearing safety helmets and vehicle speeding" and also issues sound and light alarms instantaneously, thus lowering the rate of accidents by 60%.
3. In the case of inland river ports (e.g., Suzhou Port, Wuhan Port), which are characterized by small-vessel tonnages, short routes, and a wide variety of cargo types, the system is oriented towards "short-distance logistics collaboration" and "flexible scheduling":
Short-Distance Transportation Module: The platform brings together the resources of the inland river ships, barges, and land trucks, thereby providing shippers with "door-to-door" logistics solutions. To illustrate, electronic parts from Suzhou Port are carried to Wuxi via barges and then delivered to the factories by trucks;
Water Level Adaptation Function: It gets the real-time water level information from the inland rivers. When the water level is very low, it automatically changes the height of the port's loading/unloading facilities so as to avoid the ships running aground;
Small-Sized Unmanned Equipment: To be able to adjust to the relatively small operation space of inland river ports and to raise short-distance transfer efficiency, small AGVs and electric forklifts have been chosen. Following the implementation in Suzhou Port, the turnover time of inland river cargo has been decreased from 5 days to 2 days, and the misdelivery rate of small cargo has reached 0.005%.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. When and where is the Expo scheduled?
The Expo is just 3 days away from May 13–15, 2026 and it will be taking place in Hall C, Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center (XICEC), Xiamen, China.
2. What is the size of the exhibition?
The area for this event is limited to 40,000 m² and it is planned to feature 350+ companies and receive more than 30,000 professional visitors from all over the world.
3. What are the activities included?
There will be over 80 professional forums and events addressing different topics such as smart mobility, communication in transportation, safety, and sustainable development.
4. How many countries and regions are participating?
Furthermore, the participants will be from more than 80 countries and regions, which means a global gathering for the intelligent transportation innovation sector.
5. Are there cooperation opportunities?
Yes. With more than 1,000 worldwide partners, the Expo is full of opportunities for business collaboration, Technology Exchange, and Investment.
6. If I want more information, who can I talk to?
If you want to know more, you can always communicate with the Organizing Committee by using the "Contact Us" section on the official website.
