Tianjin Port eyes leading role in high-tech, green transformation

A containership is berthed at Tianjin Port's IoT-supported terminal. [Photo/China Daily]

Tianjin Port said recently that one of its container terminals, which is powered by many advanced and green solutions, such as the internet of things, has been put into use.

The launch of such a terminal is a result of the port's wholehearted efforts in answering the nation's call in 2019 to further build the port into a pioneer among its peers in applying advanced technologies of IoT, big data and artificial intelligence technologies, and helping the nation achieve its carbon goals.

The container terminal marks the port's latest achievement after its zero carbon terminal — section C of the Beijiang port area, Tianjin Port, was launched in 2021.

The Tianjin Port's zero-carbon roll-on roll-off, or ro-ro, terminals are also its three leading terminals.The list of such terminals is expected to expand in the next few years, the port said.

Building such terminals is also to fulfill its commitment to carbon reduction and carbon neutrality, said Chu Bin, Party chief of the Tianjin Port Group.

Chu said the port has witnessed a series of achievements amid efforts to build itself into a top global port in the years to come.

Last year, Tianjin Port saw its overall container throughput hit 21 million twenty-foot equivalent units, creating a four-year record in terms of growth rate among the top 10 ports globally.

Its zero-carbon ro-ro terminals are recognized by the China Classification Society, which granted the port its carbon neutrality certificate.

Tian Wei, general manager of the CCS, said: "We have completed stringent and complicated examinations of the terminals and the port has taken the lead in China in advancing carbon neutrality."

Tianjin Port said its IoT port has installed over 100,000 sensor-connected facilities, covering entire infrastructure, energy management and intelligent buildings.

The computing power supporting the IoT port is stronger than traditional terminals, and has helped the terminal slash cargo loading and unloading times by 26.2 percent, and increase anchoring time for ocean vessels by 28 percent, said Yang Rong, general manager of the Tianjin Port No 2 Container Terminal Co.

Yang said that since its zero-carbon port was launched in 2021, many other ports globally have shown interest in the smart terminal.

"Some ports in the United Arab Emirates and Thailand have contacted us about visiting the terminal and believe that the terminal is expected to bring changes in the sector," Yang said.

Answering questions on its economic return, Yang said: "Last year the terminal did slow its pace to guarantee smooth operation. This year, the port will be profitable."

Tianjin Port reported that its wind and photovoltaic power installment hit 280,000 kilowatt-hours, generating green power of 60 million kWh, saving 18,000 metric tons in coal equivalents and slashing carbon dioxide emissions of more than 50,000 tons.