In recent years, major international ports have been stepping up their efforts to achieve automation.

Newly established Chinese port business operator, Shandong Port Group (SPG) in North China, recently found in a worldwide survey of container ports that in the first half of 2020, 51 automated container ports became operational or were currently under construction, of which 22 were Asian ports.

And a total of 36 out of the 51 ports were put into operation or to be constructed since 2010, with the number and proportion of automated ports significantly higher than that of before 2010.

SPG officials said that in the current year the novel coronavirus outbreak has seriously hampered the global economy, but during the same period the group's Qingdao Port Automated Container Terminal broke several handling records, impressing the industry.

They said automation has turned the port into an unmanned terminal -- where epidemic prevention, safety and efficient operations are guaranteed.

With the employment of self-developed world-pioneering advanced technologies, such as a hydrogen-powered automated rail-mounted gantry crane, the port has provided several solutions to address challenges confronting the world.

These include a quick-access anchor button, unlimited time of endurance and auto-locks for containers.

SPG officials said that in this context, the port has become 30 percent more efficient than regular ports and employs 50 percent fewer people. For five years running, the port has broken the world record in handling productivity, with the help of these advanced solutions, they said.

The construction of SPG's Qingdao Port Automated Container Terminal was also striking. Officials said it took only one fifth of the construction time and saved one third in construction costs compared with similar overseas automated terminals.

As a paradigm that employs the industrial internet for port facilities, they said it has helped distribute China's solutions to the world -- with low-costs and intelligent and highly efficient functionality.

Recently, Qingdao Port Automated Container Terminal Standard System sailed through assessments conducted by experts, marking the establishment of a standard system for automated container terminals.

SPG officials said the system is considered the first of its kind in China, which is greatly increasing the group's influence in the port sector.

They said building smart and green ports is an important initiative for SPG to construct world-class seaports.

Moving forwards, SPG will continue to stimulate innovation as it deepens its integration and reforms. This will speed up digital transformation and the integrated innovation of information, science and technology.

As such, efforts will be made by SPG to contribute knowledge and experience to building China's smart and green ports -- and  advancing the development of the national maritime and transportation network, in a bid to achieve high-quality economic progress.