The world's first air-track intelligent transport system demonstration project explores an intelligent, green, low-carbon and multi-modal transport mode which is seen as offering the future in port transportation. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]

The completion ceremony for the world's first air-track intelligent transport system demonstration system took place on June 29 at Qingdao Port, operated by the Shandong Port Group or SPG – one of the world's biggest port operators, based in the port city of Qingdao in East China's Shandong province.

Developed by Qingdao Port's Liangang Innovation Team and CRRC Yangtze Group's R&D team, the system has integrated air-track technology and port logistics solutions that reportedly solve the "last mile" transport problem for ports, ships, yards and depots.

This last mile challenge refers to supply chains, where the last stage of delivery is often much less efficient, comprising up to 50 percent or more of the total costs of moving, especially in urban areas. In this context, SPG has initiated major upgrades of its port networks.

These have been made in response to the escalating increase in cargo volumes as the global economy develops. The challenge of balancing transport volumes and capacity at ports has been seen a bottleneck holding up their development. In the meantime, the integrated development of ports and cities has introduced higher requirements for port transport infrastructure. As such, the exploration of intelligent, green and low-carbon multi-modal transport systems has become the trend for port transportation.

In terms of SPG's development, the container volumes transported at the Qingdao Port Fully Automated Container Terminal are growing, thanks to its advanced operations system. The level of the terminal's throughput in 2020 increased 37 percent on the previous year and the growing container volumes have reportedly posed increasing challenges.

In response, SPG announced fresh initiatives during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), with reliable and efficient transportation capacity set out as requirements for the operations system of such an advanced and fully automated terminal.

Starting at the north side of the automated terminal and the west side of the AGV operations area, the demonstration section ends adjacent to the No R09 container yard at QQCTU. With a length of 612 meters, the project will reportedly connect the north and south rail stations at the Qingdao Qianwan port area. After eight months of around-the-clock technological breakthroughs, the demonstration section has now reportedly been completed, entering trial operations.

It is said that as a result, the terminal has taken the lead in the innovation of multi-modal transport systems. By developing air tracks, such a project can reportedly create an ecosystem for three-dimensional transporting systems, realizing "zero transfer" among ports, railways and railway stations in terms of container transportation. Furthermore, it is expected that it can improve container transportation capacity and efficiency.

Efforts at SPG are reportedly being made to promote the green and low-carbon transport mode and achieve peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality. The intelligent air-track system is electricity-powered during the entire process, which reduces urban noise and offers a green and intelligent transportation system. Compared with conventional truck transport, it can reduce energy consumption by over 50 percent, yielding distinct environmental benefits.

The project can also cut costs and conserves social resources.