Oct 9 marked the first anniversary of the operation of the world's first side-loading and parallel-layout fully automated container terminal at Rizhao Port of Shandong Port Group (SPG).

Over the past year, the fully automated container terminal at Rizhao Port has experienced an increase of more than 26 percent in vessel productivity compared with a year ago when it first launched. The volume of containers handled at the automated yard has accounted for over 50 percent of the port's total container throughput. The on-time rate of container ships at the port have reached 100 percent. All these figures have demonstrated the port's reliable, stable and practical operations.  

Rizhao Port has continued to pursue efficient breakthroughs, and its remote-controlled bridge cranes have broke the efficiency record five times, and the efficiency rate has increased by 15 percent.

"At the beginning, we were skeptical about the fully automated technologies, and we felt that the vast manless yard was dangerous because there were no people to talk to," a truck driver said.

"However, I have been conducting pickups and drop-offs at this terminal for a year, and the upgraded terminal has made my job smoother and safer. Previously, it took me at least 20 minutes to load and unload a shipment, but now it only takes me about 10 minutes. All of my colleagues are fond of the new changes at the automated terminal," the truck driver added.

At present, the average length of time trucks spend at the automated port has been shortened by 25 percent compared with the traditional port, and the automated terminal operation efficiency has risen 15 percent, according to port officials .

Over the past year, the research team at the fully automated container terminal at Rizhao Port keeps improving equipment technology, which has greatly reduced operation costs, which are decreasing by 12 percent compared with one year ago since the new terminal was established.

The fully automated container terminal at Rizhao Port has made great progress in building a digitized and smart port, which has become a shining accomplishment on SPG's resume.

The fully automated container terminal at Rizhao Port experiences growth in vessel productivity. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The fully automated container terminal at Rizhao Port of SPG [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]