As a world’s top 6 port and a core hub in China, Guangzhou Port connects over 400 global ports. This project, based at the Greater Bay Area’s first new fully automated terminal (Nansha Phase IV,referred to as “NUCT”), aimed to tackle inefficiencies in river-sea intermodal transport through digital innovation. NUCT developed a world-first, fully integrated digital solution to enhance port efficiency, safety, and green performance.
The project exemplifies on digital transformation by implementing the following features:
- Full Automation & AI Decision-Making: NUCT developed a proprietary, fully automated terminal operating system (TOS/SCH/ECS) and an AI-powered “brain” for multi-task collaborative scheduling. This intelligent system optimizes the operations of hundreds of devices, achieving a 30% increase in overall efficiency and a 50% reduction in construction costs.
- Intelligent Sensing & Precision Mobility: NUCT replaced costly magnetic nail navigation with a multi-modal fusion positioning system (integrating BDS, LiDAR, and vision), enabling flexible, centimeter-level precision “free-roaming” for Intelligent Guided Vehicles (referred to as “IGVs”).
- Enhanced Safety & Green Performance: Through digitalization and unmanned operations, NUCT achieved over 2.4 million hours of accident-free operation, reduced safety risks by 50%, and optimized energy use, leading to significant reductions in carbon emissions and energy consumption.
This project demostrates how digitalization is the key enabler for a sustainable, efficient, and ultimately safer port, offering a globally replicable model to the industry.