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Sylvia Ma

China is ramping up efforts to deeply integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its shipping industry by 2027, targeting breakthroughs in core technologies to build a smart maritime system as global competition intensifies.
A new action plan by the Ministry of Transport and three other government bodies outlined a road map that includes creating at least three comprehensive pilot zones, launching more than five trial routes, developing over 10 replicable smart-shipping use cases and deploying more than 100 smart vessels by that year.
By 2030, Beijing aims to “fully master key smart shipping technologies and develop a full-spectrum equipment supply capability”, positioning the sector at a globally advanced level.
The initiative, unveiled on Monday, comes as shipping’s strategic importance is in the spotlight, with geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions driving major economies to secure critical trade routes and strengthen maritime resilience.
Chen Deli, deputy director of the Maritime Safety Administration under the Ministry of Transport, called the plan crucial to helping China “seize the initiative in global shipping competition and forge new development advantages”, as quoted by state broadcaster China Central Television.
Chen said the strategy marked a major policy push to drive “comprehensive, deep and systemic transformation” across the industry, adding that smart shipping would be essential to easing bottlenecks.
China is already the world’s largest maritime trading nation and a leading shipbuilder, with ports that handle the highest container throughput globally. But it faces growing competition from Asian neighbours in hi-tech vessel construction and from European companies in global freight and carrier services.
Under the new plan, Beijing will accelerate the development and use of large AI models in shipping and push for breakthroughs in technologies such as situational awareness and predictive assessment, boosting decision-making and control in complex environments.
To speed up large-scale adoption of mature AI technologies, authorities will focus on a range of typical operating scenarios, including short-distance transshipment, tugboat operations, bridge and lock transits as well as navigation in low-visibility conditions, at night and on narrow or winding waterways.
Beijing will designate a group of pilot smart vessels and fleets to develop representative ship designs and advance the commercial deployment of intelligent ships.
The plan will also fast-track the deployment of China’s home-grown satellite internet for smart navigation and the development of real-time situational awareness and communication platforms for strategic global waterways to achieve worldwide maritime coverage.
At the “two sessions” earlier this month, transport minister Liu Wei said the transport strategy for the 15th five-year plan period would put greater emphasis on integration, safety, intelligent upgrades under the AI Plus initiative and greener development.


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Pilot zones and more than 100 smart vessels are part of Beijing’s strategy to bolster maritime operations and address bottlenecks


Pilot zones and more than 100 smart vessels are part of Beijing’s strategy to bolster maritime operations and address bottlenecks.


China plans AI-powered smart shipping system by 2027

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Pilot zones and more than 100 smart vessels are part of Beijing’s strategy to bolster maritime operations and address bottlenecks

Pilot zones and more than 100 smart vessels are part of Beijing’s strategy to bolster maritime operations and address bottlenecks