China wants to apply artificial intelligence in water transport

Increased use of smart technology

On December 15, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that the Chinese Ministry of Transport announced a plan to apply smart technologies such as 5G, big data and artificial intelligence in ports and major waterways by 2027 on the agency's official website earlier this month.

Accordingly, China's Ministry of Transport called on container ports to increase automated operations, using technologies such as autonomous vehicles, driverless trucks and remote control infrastructure.

Chinese officials also aim to build digital networks for the country's inland waterways and major ports such as those in Shanghai, Dalian and Tianjin.

Illustration photo.

In addition, the Chinese Ministry of Transport encourages the use of smart technology in the maintenance and operation of waterway transport activities.

Some measures include using unmanned ships to patrol waterways, applying geographic information systems and the Internet of Things in digitizing ports and waterways.

In addition, China also aims for ports and waterways to move towards using new energy sources and equipment.

“Compared to roads and railways, water transport is cheaper, has fewer emissions and is safer. This is why China has been working hard to develop water transport for many years,” said Dong Yang, associate professor of transport and logistics at the University of Hong Kong.

This expert believes that using artificial intelligence to improve decision-making is a necessary step in the development of water transport activities in China.

Expectations of reduced dependence on roads

Over the past few decades, China has leveraged its extensive waterway network to support economic development, creating thriving economic zones in the Yangtze and Pearl River Deltas.

SCMP said Beijing’s push to optimize its water transport system could help the country reduce its dependence on roads. Last year, nearly three-quarters of the country’s goods were transported by road, while only 16.9% of goods were transported by water.

According to the International Transport Forum, it is estimated that transporting goods by road can emit 100 times more CO2 than transporting goods by water based on the same volume of goods and distance traveled.

“The use of smart technology is a trend in the shipping industry because it can increase efficiency and be environmentally friendly,” said expert Yang.

According to SCMP, China has focused on developing waterways after the country's Ministry of Transport released the 14th Five-Year Plan for Water Transport in 2019, emphasizing the goals of digitalization and sustainability, being environmentally friendly.

China's national fixed asset investment (FAI) in water transport has increased by an average of 12.5% ​​annually over the past three years, according to data from China's Ministry of Transport.

In the first 10 months of the year, China's total FAI in the road and waterway transport network was 2.57 trillion yuan ($361.4 billion), up 4.1 percent year-on-year.

Of which, FAI on roads increased by 2.9% over the same period last year, while FAI on waterways increased by 25.8%.

China is turning to cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence to boost efficiency in sectors such as semiconductors as Beijing faces pressure to shift to high-value supply chains amid fierce competition from countries like Mexico and India, according to SCMP.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/trung-quoc-muon-ap-dung-tri-tue-nhan-tao-trong-van-tai-duong-thuy-192231215113332225.htm