Tianjin Port's smart zero-carbon terminal offers replicable model for global port automation upgrades

Tianjin Port Second Container Terminal — the world's first "smart zero-carbon" terminal — is setting new benchmarks in port automation and green operations. With three 200,000-ton berths and a 1,100-meter shoreline, the terminal has an annual designed capacity of 2.5 million TEUs and can handle the largest container ships in the world.

According to Huo Chenchen, Deputy Manager of the Operations Department, the terminal's layout is intentionally designed to resemble that of a traditional manual terminal. "The advantage," Huo explained, "is that our model can be replicated on a one-to-one scale when upgrading manual terminals to automated operations in the future."

Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including L4 autonomous transport robots and a distinctive seven-color yard, the terminal is powered entirely by a wind–solar–storage–charging system, achieving fully automated, zero-emission operations. This innovative design not only enhances efficiency but also offers a practical, replicable solution for upgrading more than 95 percent of traditional container terminals worldwide.