News I iCET Conducts On-Site Research at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port’s Daxie Terminal to Examine Green Port Development
To gain a deeper understanding of port electrification and its current progress, the Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation (iCET) visited Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on July 31, 2024. iCET held discussions with the Daxie Terminal’s Digital Technology Department, the SINE Project Team, and the Research Center of the Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Transportation to exchange insights on green port development and future planning. The visit aimed to better understand the demand for electric terminal tractors and the challenges faced during the electrification process.
Representatives of the Daxie Terminal explained that the port is collaborating with autonomous-driving technology company SINE to test and integrate driverless technology into production operations. The project is currently in its first demonstration phase. Using high-precision mapping and multi-sensor fusion technology, the autonomous terminal tractors are capable of route planning and centimeter-level positioning without human drivers. The project is undergoing a 5,000 km Phase I test, where each driverless vehicle operates for approximately 20 hours per day. During this stage, safety operators are still required onboard; in the upcoming second phase, the vehicles are expected to operate without safety personnel.
Photo: Staff at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port’s Daxie Terminal introduce the operation of autonomous terminal tractors.
During the visit, Daxie Terminal staff also presented the port’s green development initiatives. Current infrastructure includes charging stations, substations, fueling stations, and gas stations. Key equipment upgrades include converting diesel-powered rubber-tired gantry cranes to electric power, replacing forklifts with electric models, and upgrading Stage I and Stage II equipment. The terminal also plans to expand its fleet of autonomous electric terminal tractors.
Staff noted that compared with human-operated vehicles, autonomous tractors currently demonstrate lower operational efficiency and continue to operate in mixed traffic with manually driven trucks. Although the R&D phase requires substantial investment, the long-term reduction in labor costs and technological improvements will likely enhance port profitability over time.
Photo: iCET introduces its work to staff at Daxie Terminal.
This field study provided iCET with valuable insights into the latest progress in green terminal development at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, as well as the real-world application of electric terminal tractors. Through exchanges with terminal staff and on-site observation, iCET not only gained an understanding of current implementation but also deepened its awareness of the practical challenges involved. The visit offered important inspiration for future work, and iCET will continue to monitor and promote the electrification of commercial vehicles in port environments.