development in China’s ports

BOX 2.12

Current goals of information and communication technology development in China’s ports

China’s ports are pursuing the following goals for information and communication technology development.

Paperless port operations. All key port businesses— including cargo handling and customs services—will use an electronic format for documents to facilitate transfers of information through the logistics chain, eliminate manual handling, and reduce fraud.

Sharing of documents across the logistics chain. Efficient and coordinated operations, and resource integration within the port logistics network, are two priorities. Through digital supply chain systems, cargo owners, freight forwarders, train operators, road carriers, terminal yards, and other enterprises can use a single platform to share information and complete necessary tasks, including business acceptance, whole-journey tracking, account verification, and payment settlements. China aims to have more than 90 percent of relevant business documents standardized and shared between the different companies.

Automation. China’s ports have built intelligent systems for gate control, tallying, equipment dispatching, and ship scheduling. Advanced digital technology has been applied to port production systems, developing intelligent port operations, and refining safety management. Examples include fully automated container terminals in the Qingdao, Shanghai, and Xiamen ports, and fully automated coal terminals in Huangqi and Qinhuangdao. China aims to have more than 90 percent of key port businesses controlled remotely or managed by automation. 24/7 safety supervision. A tracking system for dangerous cargo will be constructed with 100 percent visual surveillance throughout the logistics chain.

Seamless multimodal transport. Different transport modes will be connected seamlessly by multimodal transport operators. Demonstration projects financed by the Ministry of Transport include one on information sharing and Internet of Things applications for railwater container transport at six major ports (2012), and another on smart systems for safety management (2017).

Online customer information and service. China’s ports aim to achieve 100 percent online operations for customer services, including the handling of customer inquiries, reservations, document acceptance, and electronic payments. Logistics information such as storage yard location, gate records, container truck movements, port release documents, cargo loading and unloading records, and ship information will all be stored and accessible online. Users will be provided with mobile and visual logistics information and services.

Collaboration between ports. China aims to set up a platform for data exchange between ports, shared with the regulatory authorities. The data will include more than 90 percent of port operations, such as customs declarations and inspections.

Energy conservation and green operations. Smart infrastructure will be used to improve energy efficiency and maximize the use of renewable energy.

transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single-entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements” (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 2005, 3). In other words, a single-window system aims to expedite and simplify information flows between trade and government, bringing economic integration and meaningful gains to all parties involved in cross-border trade. Whenever information is electronic, it is recommended that data elements should need to be submitted only once. Single-window platforms have been initiated in several countries across the globe, each one subject to different political, economic, or legal circumstances. The approach applies to data exchange among government agencies and between private firms and government agencies.

China has developed an integrated, national single-window system in the course of various customs reforms. In March 1988, a milestone project was