[Report] Went to China's 'Altesh' Forward Base... "Not a Single Person There"

'100% Automation Rate' Smart Port, China Tianjin Chichai Port
Joystick Control at the Control Center... 10-ton Container Handling 'Completed'
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On the 9th, we visited Tianjin Port, the world's 6th largest port with an annual cargo volume of 22.17 million TEU. At the heart of the port lies the 2nd Container Terminal, where not a single person is in sight. Despite being a forward base busier than ever due to the recent global offensive of 'Altesh (Alibaba, Temu, Xiin),' there is no sign of human presence. The only movement among the thousands of densely stacked containers is from 92 Automated Rail Transport (ART) robots.

Having started shipping in October 2021, Terminal 2 was designed for an annual cargo volume of 2.5 million TEU, accounting for only 11% of the entire Tianjin Port. However, it is regarded as the 'heart' of the port, having launched with 100% automation upon completion and preparing to sequentially implement the system in other terminals of Tianjin Port. After Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Tianjin in 2019, emphasizing the creation of smart ports and shipping development, this terminal set the shortest construction record among similar docks at '1 year and 9 months.' The colorful containers and cranes have earned this place the nickname 'Chicai (七彩, Rainbow) Port.'

The second container terminal at Tianjin Port, China, which began shipping in October 2021. The layers of stacked containers and the colorful cranes have earned this place the nickname "Qicai (七彩·Rainbow) Port." (Photo by Kim Hyunjung)

There is not exactly zero 'people' inside the terminal. About 30 personnel work seated in an indoor remote control center located 700 meters away from the dangerous, sun-drenched dock, enjoying air conditioning. These workers are divided into coordination, repair, and driving teams, working in 12-hour shifts with four teams rotating.

Two pilots, considered the 'brains' of the port, have been managing the overall status since the terminal opened, while other staff use joysticks to move containers and make fine positional adjustments. Li Yang, manager of Tianjin Port 2nd Terminal Construction, explained, "With a single click, we can handle containers weighing over 10 tons," adding, "Only five people are needed to manage the 750,000 square meter terminal." Manager Li also introduced that "thanks to technologies such as the Internet of Things, satellites, 5G, and artificial intelligence, loading and unloading times have been reduced by 26% compared to manual operations."

At the Chichaihang Remote Control Center, employees remotely manage the port. The related personnel consist of about 30 people, organized into coordination, repair, and driver teams, working in 12-hour shifts with four teams rotating. (Photo by Kim Hyunjung)

The transport robots do not even require that level of assistance. Equipped with various sensors including radar and real-time cameras, they have an intelligent self-navigation system that monitors all directions. These robots move according to pre-designed routes based on China's GPS system Beidou (北斗), without separate manual operation. Manager Li explained, "Since they move according to set routes and navigation, human intervention is minimal," adding, "If any issues arise, we adjust remotely and respond to malfunctions."

Chicai Port has attracted external attention for achieving 'carbon zero' by sourcing 100% of its electricity from its own installed wind turbines and solar power facilities. An official met on-site mentioned, "Recently, several Korean port cities including Incheon have visited here," and added, "They were particularly curious about the energy facilities and examined them closely."

Ryu Siwang, manager of the 2nd Terminal Construction, emphasized, "We are rapidly upgrading the automation rate, which currently stands at about 65% based on large port facility standards," and said, "Although it is difficult to specify the exact timing for achieving 100%, progress is moving quickly."