Guoyuan Port launches autonomous trucks

Driverless trucks operate alongside human-driven counterparts at Guoyuan Port. [Photo by Zhang Jinhui] 

Guoyuan Port, China's largest inland water-rail-road multi-modal logistics hub, has unveiled its first fleet of six autonomous new energy smart trucks. 

Once workers have loaded the containers, the autonomous trucks activate their turn signals and proceed to designated areas. They are outfitted with cutting-edge technologies, including AI cameras, laser radar, 5G antennas, and GNSS antennas, enabling them to plan optimal routes, navigate with precision, and efficiently load and unload containers. 

These autonomous trucks handle an average of 200 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) daily, cutting labor costs by one-third. "Previously, six drivers were needed for two operation lines. Now, autonomous trucks require only one remote-control operator and one on-site safety officer," explained Tan Xianhua, a seasoned driver with 12 years of experience who is transitioning to remote-control operations. 

"We are using 5G, BeiDou navigation, and pure-algorithm recognition to create a smart port tailored to the unique demands of inland waterways and logistics," said an IT manager at Chongqing Guoyuan Container Terminal Co. The company plans to expand its autonomous fleet and operational scope, using technological innovation to enhance productivity and optimize port management. 

Guoyuan Port is a crucial link connecting the Yangtze River Golden Waterway, the China-Europe Railway Express, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. The port managed over 26 million metric tons of cargo in the first 11 months of 2024, a 4.3 percent increase compared to the previous year.