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China looks to AI to navigate massive overhaul of its waterway transport system

  • In a modernisation push, major ports and waterways will become more intelligent by 2027, Ministry of Transport says
  • Plan includes drones and unstaffed ships to patrol routes

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Shipping traffic passes a lock on the Dateng Gorge Water Conservancy project in southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Transport authorities aim to build a digital network for the country’s higher-quality inland waterways as well as for terminals at major coastal ports. Photo: Xinhua
Fred He

China has pinned its hopes on digital technologies to modernise its waterway transport system, aiming to boost its competitiveness in shipping by improving efficiency and sustainability.

A plan unveiled by the Ministry of Transport on its website earlier this month targets implementation of smart technologies like 5G, big data and artificial intelligence across all major ports and waterways by 2027.

To make China’s ports more intelligent, the ministry said it would urge container terminals to further automate work flows by expanding use of technologies like autonomous vehicles, driverless container trucks and remote-controlled infrastructure.

Authorities also aim to build a digital network for the country’s higher-quality inland waterways as well as for terminals at major coastal ports, such as Shanghai, Dalian and Tianjin.

The ministry said it would encourage the use of smart technologies in maintenance and shipping operations. For example, drones and unstaffed ships could patrol waterways, while a geographic information system and the Internet of Things could help digitalise docks and channels.

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