Qingdao has underlined its status as a global port technology bellwether after Shandong Port Group (SPG) rolled out China’s first vacuum-based automated mooring system, cutting the time needed to secure the world’s largest containerships alongside.

The new system, now in operation at Qingdao port, reduces the mooring time for a 366 m long containership from around 30 minutes to just 30 seconds. Thirteen vacuum mooring units installed along the berth generate a combined suction force of 2,600 kN, allowing vessels to be held firmly and precisely against the quay without the use of traditional mooring lines.

Beyond speed, the technology marks a major safety upgrade. By eliminating the need for crew and dockworkers to handle heavy lines, the system removes personnel from the so-called snap-back zone, where line failure under tension can cause serious or fatal injuries. The automated setup also integrates a real-time monitoring framework that continuously tracks wind, wave and current conditions, enabling both automated vacuum suction and intelligent active stabilisation control.

SPG estimates the system will save more than 200 hours of mooring time each year, effectively boosting berth productivity by the equivalent of handling around 10 additional ultra-large vessels annually.

The deployment builds on Qingdao’s long track record as a pioneer in port automation and digitalisation. The port operates some of the world’s most advanced fully automated container terminals, with AI-driven scheduling, automated guided vehicles and remote-controlled quay cranes already standard features. Qingdao has also been at the forefront of 5G-enabled port operations, smart energy management and the large-scale use of digital twins to optimise terminal performance.

That sustained focus on technology has helped position Qingdao as a reference point for next-generation port operations globally, regularly hosting international delegations keen to study its automation model.