Shanghai: The Port of Shanghai, the world’s busiest and most advanced container port, is redefining global trade logistics through the power of automation. Imagine an operation that handles more cargo than any other port on the planet yet requires as few as eight people to oversee its day-to-day activities.
According to Ghana News Agency, located on the East China Sea and strategically connected to the Yangtze River, the Port of Shanghai processes over 47 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, far surpassing competitors worldwide. This scale of activity places the port at the heart of China’s export-driven economy while making it a critical artery for international commerce.
The port’s success rests heavily on its cutting-edge automated terminals. Cranes, guided vehicles, and container handling systems are controlled remotely, minimising human involvement in physical operations. Prof. Wang Yao, Professor of Animation and Digital Art at the Communication University of China, noted that automation has not only reduced operational errors but also significantly boosted efficiency and reliability. ‘The loading, discharging, and transportation of cargoes within the port are fully automated,’ Prof. Wang told a group of African journalists attending a seminar for mainstream media executives from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries in Beijing.
He explained that only eight people monitor the entire system, and their primary role is to intervene during emergencies such as unexpected system shutdowns. ‘Once importers and exporters submit their documents to the Chinese Customs, the processes are programmed and executed digitally, eliminating human bottlenecks that often delay port operations,’ he added.
As a backbone of China’s industrial exports, the Port of Shanghai is also a flagship component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), serving as a gateway for goods flowing between China and the rest of the world. The BRI, which seeks to connect Asia, Africa, and Europe through infrastructure and trade, relies heavily on ports like Shanghai to strengthen maritime routes.
According to Prof. Wang, the Shanghai model demonstrated how advanced technology could support integration and cooperation in global trade networks. The insights were shared during a seminar organised by China Broadcasting International Economic and Technical Cooperation (CBIC). The programme is designed to showcase China’s achievements in areas such as technology, agriculture, tourism, and industrial modernisation, while also promoting knowledge exchange with partner countries.
Prof. Wang, delivering a presentation titled ‘Integration Symbiosis – Technology Reshapes Virtual and Reality’, emphasised that Shanghai’s port was more than just an economic engine, but also a symbol of how digital transformation could reshape traditional industries.