Qingdao Port, part of Shandong Port Group, has officially introduced China’s first vacuum-based automatic mooring system, which entered live commercial service on 1 January 2026 at the Qingdao Automated Container Terminal.
The milestone marks a new step in berth-side automation and vessel handling within the country’s increasingly digitalised port sector.
The system was inaugurated during the berthing of the 366‑metre containership MSC Saudi Arabia, which was secured to the quay without the need for conventional mooring ropes or quay‑side line handlers. Instead, high‑vacuum suction units automatically attached to the vessel’s hull, completing the process in less than 30 seconds – compared with the 20 to 30 minutes normally required for a ship of that size.
“This system enables fully automated mooring and unmooring of large container vessels through intelligent perception and control, significantly reducing berthing time while improving operational safety,” a Qingdao Port representative told Chinese state media.
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According to details reported by CCTV and China News Service, the installation includes 13 vacuum mooring units arranged along the berth, together capable of applying around 2,600 kilonewtons of holding force. This allows safe berthing of container vessels over 200 metres in length, including ultra‑large ships currently in service.
The system uses a three‑layer control structure linking a remote command centre, mobile management terminals, and local control units for real‑time coordination. Integrated sensors and control algorithms monitor vessel movement alongside wind, wave, and current conditions, automatically adjusting to maintain a stable mooring.
By removing the need for line‑handling crews, the automated solution eliminates one of the higher‑risk zones on the quay apron.
Qingdao Port estimates the technology could save more than 200 hours of berth time per position each year, potentially allowing more than ten additional vessel calls annually without expanding physical quay space.
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“By integrating real-time environmental monitoring with intelligent control algorithms, the automated mooring system can dynamically respond to changes in wind, waves, and currents, ensuring stable and reliable vessel positioning during operations,” port officials told China News Service.
Qingdao Port has paired the new mooring system with existing automated quay cranes, unmanned AGVs, and intelligent rail-mounted gantry cranes, maintaining its record-setting handling performance.
Find out where Qingdao Port ranked in PTI’s own ranking for 2025. Read more here: Top 5 China ports by TEU in 2025.
For more information:
Shandong Port Group – https://www.sd-port.com/
