World’s Biggest Automated Box Terminal Starts Trial Operation

China’s Port of Shanghai has launched trial operations at its brand new automated container terminal, described as the world’s largest unmanned box terminal, Xinhua news agency reports.

The terminal at Shanghai Yangshan Deep Water Port, a deep water container port located in Hangzhou Bay south of Shanghai, kick started test operations on December 10.

The terminal is the fourth stage of the Yangshan port development project and occupies an area of 2,23 million square meters and a coastline area of 2,350 meters.

As informed, the core technology of the fully-automated terminal was developed in China.

The port is able to handle the biggest containerships of today and once fully operational will be able to handle 4 million TEU on annual basis.

The final objective for the port is to reach a total operational capacity of 6 million TEU per annum.

According to Chen Wuyuan, President of Shanghai International Port Group, cited by Xinhua, the automated terminal will increase the port’s handling efficiency and cut carbon emissions.

The investment in the terminal automation equipment is said to be worth approximately USD 2.1 billion.

The Yangshan Deepwater Port project is expected to be finalized by 2020.

World Maritime News Staff