The world's first smart zero-carbon terminal, Tianjin Port, buzzed with automated robots transporting containers within the area in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Wednesday.
Thanks to technology like 5 G, AI, and BeiDou navigation, container loading and unloading proceeded seamlessly.
Blue transport robots, or AI robots of transportation ART, maneuvered with amazing agility during the work. ART, developed by Tianjin Port Group, is a fully autonomous transport robot that can operate within container terminals.
With a weight of about 23 tons, the ART can operate after just one hour of charging. BeiDou's satellite boasts autonomous perception, smart planning, and smart decision-making, equipped with a variety of sensors such as lidar, cameras, extremesonic radar, and millimeter wave radar. The integration of 5 G enables remote control of the ART, enabling precision, unmanned, and secure transport operations in complex situations.
These smart robots meet the demands for extended operations at the terminal, enhancing operational efficiency and production safety, said Gao Yanhui, the deputy general manager of the terminal.
Besides the ART, two large wind turbines stand out. These impressive fixtures serve as magical instruments to provide green electricity to the port. The Tianjin Port is making full use of renewable energy sources through distributed photovoltaic and wind power projects. Tianjin Port generates about 90 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually, resulting in a decrease of about 75,000 tons of carbon emissions per year, equivalent to planting 210,000 trees.
The energy we generate is superior to our regular consumption, guaranteeing a constant supply of 100% green energy, said Gao.
As a company in the port industry, we will better apply a variety of new technologies at the port, he said.
The world's first zero-carbon terminal began operations on October 17, 2021.
Tianjin Port is a pivotal hub for the Belt and Road Initiative and a global hub that embraces comprehensive openness. For many years, it has been among the top 10 port cities globally.
Tianjin Port, a modern, comprehensive and world's highest-grade artificial deep-water port, boasts 144 container routes, facilitating trade connections with more than 500 ports across more than 180 countries and regions worldwide.