Qingdao Port, the largest port in northern China, deployed the country's first vacuum-based automated mooring system on the first day of 2026, completing its unmanned operation for a single vessel within 30 seconds.

At 9 a.m. on Thursday, a container vessel measuring 366 meters in length and capable of carrying 16,000 TEUs slowly berthed at a quay equipped with the new mooring system. Unlike traditional berthing operations, no workers were required to secure mooring lines on site. Instead, the system automatically identified the vessel, positioned it, and used built-in vacuum suction pads to attach to the ship's hull. The entire mooring process took less than 30 seconds, firmly securing the vessel at the berth.

The vacuum-based automated mooring system not only enhances operational safety but also significantly boosts terminal efficiency.

"The vacuum-based automated mooring system attaches to the side of the vessel with suction pads. Thirteen mooring units can generate a combined holding force of 2,600 kilonewtons within 30 seconds. This shortens the mooring time for a single vessel from 20 to 30 minutes to under 30 seconds, firmly fixing the ship to the quay," said Liu Fangchao, Manager from the Engineering Technology Department of Qingdao Port Automated Terminal.

With its highly integrated automated system, comprising automated quay cranes, high-speed rail-mounted gantry cranes, and unmanned AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), Qingdao Port has set a world record for container-handling efficiency at automated terminals for the 13th time.

In addition, local customs have introduced intelligent systems to further streamline the inspection process for smoother customs clearance.

"The pre-inspection scanning equipment is deployed along the port's logistics routes. Each scanning process takes only a few seconds and does not interfere with container transportation. Expanding high-level opening-up and building smart ports are key goals China aims to achieve over the next five years," said Yu Ting, Deputy Director of the Inspection Division of Huangdao Customs under Qingdao Customs.