Recently, Phase I of the East Port of YANTIAN has reached a critical milestone, propelling the port's construction into the fast lane and laying a solid foundation for operation before the end of 2026:
The main construction of Berths 1 and 2 has been successfully completed.
l Large-scale automated loading and unloading equipment has been delivered and is undergoing commissioning.
l All marine works for the three berths are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
01 YANTIAN speed: beyond fast, a breakthrough in quality
As a key infrastructure project under China's 14th Five-Year Plan and within the Greater Bay Area, the YANTIAN East Port is planned to feature three fully automated 200,000-ton container berths, with a 1,470-metre quay length and a depth alongside of -18 metres. Designed to accommodate 32,000-TEU mega container vessels, the terminal will have an annual design throughput of 3 million TEUs, ensuring berthing capabilities for future generations of mega- vessels.
The YANTIAN East Port has leveraged innovative technologies to drive both quality and efficiency, achieving critical breakthroughs within just two years:
l June 13, 2023: The first steel pipe pile was driven into the seabed, marking the start of the project.
l June 13, 2024: Within one year, the high-quality installation of all 1,888 steel pipe piles was completed.
l June 13, 2025: The main structures of Berths 1 and 2 were scheduled for early completion.
From breaking through the sea to completing the main structures, the miracle of installing 1,888 steel pipe piles with exceptional quality and efficiency was made possible through a suite of innovative technologies that ensured continuous breakthroughs in quality:
An innovative "water-to-land" construction method was adopted, transforming offshore operations into onshore works using full-platform rotary drilling technology. This significantly accelerated pile foundation construction while reducing operational risks under complex sea conditions.
By leveraging BIM technology for "digital rehearsals," the project scientifically planned the sequence and process parameters for pile installation, enabling a precise "test-before-build" approach.
Intelligent inspection robots were used not only for comprehensive internal inspections but also for unmanned bottom-sealing operations, enhancing safety during critical construction phases.
An integrated, detachable formwork system improved installation efficiency by 30% while eliminating the risk of debris falling into the sea, ensuring environmental protection throughout the construction process.
02 Cutting-edge technologies set a new benchmark for world-class ports
The terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art automated systems, including China's largest automated dual-trolley quay cranes with a lifting height of 55 metres and an outreach of 75 metres. These cranes are designed to handle 32,000-TEU vessels—33% larger than the world's current largest container vessels—providing robust support for the efficient handling of mega-vessels.
Additionally, the fully automated rail-mounted gantry cranes are the first in the world to seamlessly handle both loaded and empty containers, achieving high yard utilisation rate and operating speeds 30% faster than traditional equipment. These allow a single operator to manage multiple units of machinery simultaneously and feature precise positioning and comprehensive collision-avoidance capabilities. These advancements not only mark significant breakthroughs in China's port machinery manufacturing but also set new global benchmarks for the port logistics industry, driving the development of smarter, more efficient ports worldwide.
A planned connecting bridge will further link the YANTIAN East Port with the Central and West Ports, enabling integrated development across all three areas. This integration will facilitate unified operations and resource sharing, continuing to provide stable, smooth, and efficient terminal services for international trade enterprises and shipping companies.
YANTIAN remains committed to advancing the digitalisation, intelligence, and green development of the terminals, embracing new quality productive forces to build a high-level international shipping hub, contributing actively to "building a green port and safeguarding clear waters and blue skies".