Extraordinary skill often lies hidden in the most ordinary roles. At the port, dedicated craftsmen have transformed repetitive operations into an art, refining every minute detail to absolute precision. From daily "theory + practice" training to a platform where talent can truly demonstrate their abilities, YANTIAN has consistently paved the way for those pursuing their dreams, allowing the spirit of craftsmanship to take root and flourish.

As the first light of dawn swept across the 20-metre-high RTGC operator's cabin, a silent yet intense contest unfolded within the narrow span of a single control lever. On October 16–17, the 15th Shenzhen Workers' Technological Innovation Games and the 2025 Shenzhen Skills Competition—Electric Port Machinery Operator Skills Competition took place successfully at YANTIAN. Contestants from YANTIAN claimed all top three spots, demonstrating the power of "port craftsmanship" through precise operations.

01 Strong collaboration and professional support for a smooth competition

The event was jointly hosted by the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, the Shenzhen Federation of Trade Unions, and the Transport Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, and co-organized by the Yantian District Human Resources Bureau, the Yantian District Talent Bureau, the Shenzhen Ports Association, and the Shenzhen Transport Training Centre, with guidance from the Shenzhen Occupational Skill Testing Office. As a supporting partner, YANTIAN was deeply involved throughout the organizational process—providing venues, equipment, and technical support—while working closely with the Executive Committee to deliver targeted pre-competition training. This included coordinating equipment familiarization and rule briefings to ensure each contestant could perform at their highest level.

At the opening ceremony, leaders including Li Guantao, Deputy Director of the Port and Shipping Administration of the Transport Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Gong Daorong, Party Secretary and Director of the Yantian District Human Resources Bureau, and Luo Binbin, Director of the Yantian District Talent Bureau, attended the event, offering on-site guidance and encouragement that gave participants a strong boost of confidence.

02 Eight minutes, six tasks, true skill tested at height

Open to the entire city, this year's competition drew keen attention and strong participation from port operators across Shenzhen. After an initial round of theoretical assessments, 61 elite RTGC operators emerged from 69 participants and gathered at YANTIAN for the finals. From a height of 20 metres, each contestant was required to complete six core tasks within just eight minutes. It is a comprehensive test of precise control, safety awareness and operational efficiency.

✔Precise lift

A 20-foot container must be raised perfectly steady, without the slightest deviation.

✔Container-to-ball tap

Using the container to lightly strike the ball fixed atop a traffic-cone base, and only the central ball (tolerance ≤ 3 cm).

✔Container placement

The container must be set precisely into a designated stacking cage.

✔Balance control

A 500 ml bottle of water placed on the container roof must remain upright throughout.

Inside the cockpit, some contestants brought over a decade of experience, their command of "steady, precise, fast" honed into instinctive muscle memory. Others were young rising talent, practising lift after lift each day to shave off even a tenth of a second. With breath held and minds sharply focused, they guided the control lever in deliberate, measured motions. The multi-tonne container traced a smooth arc across the air, clearing narrow gaps without a touch, settling into place without a sound, and keeping the bottle perfectly upright. Spectators looked on in collective, breathless awe.

Two standardised workstations were set up on site, faithfully replicating real port operating conditions and equipped with professional RTGCs, infrared sensing systems and more. Scoring followed a "technology + manual" approach: the infrared system captured real-time operational data, including timing and clearance precision, while human judges assessed finer details to ensure results that were both fair and fully transparent.

03 YANTIAN sweeps the top three

Following a tense and closely fought contest, the final results were announced: YANTIAN's operators claimed the top three positions through steady performance and pinpoint accuracy. The top eight contestants were also awarded the title of "Shenzhen Technical Expert" by the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, creating new opportunities for career advancement. This recognition stands not only as a reward for the contestants' tireless practice, but also as a testament to the enterprises' long-standing commitment to cultivating skilled professionals.

At the awards ceremony, leaders from the Municipal Transport Bureau, the Yantian District Human Resources Bureau, the Yantian District Talent Bureau, and the Shenzhen Ports Association presented the honours and praised the competition for its contribution to improving safety and efficiency across port operations.

Guided by the principles of safety first and continuous improvement, the competition highlighted the professionalism and craftsmanship of port operators, while inspiring renewed enthusiasm for advancing technical skills. As one contestant remarked, "Watching everyone's precision at work makes it clearer than ever that 'skill builds success' is never just a slogan."

04 Crafting the future through excellence: YANTIAN's ongoing commitment to developing skilled talent

At YANTIAN, generations of employees have written their chapters of progress through dedication and ingenuity, embodying responsibility through perseverance and a spirit of continuous innovation.

Looking to the future, YANTIAN will remain committed to innovation-led development and will continue to champion the ethos of model workers, the dignity of labour, and the spirit of true craftsmanship. The company strives to inspire more workers, particularly the younger generation, to pursue mastery through skill and to contribute to the country through their technical expertise. YANTIAN will further expand its efforts to cultivate high-calibre professionals and master-level craftsmen, providing strong talent support for a transportation power and for serving as a forerunner in China's modernisation journey. Through practical action, YANTIAN will inject new momentum into the high-quality development of the port industry and play an even greater role in driving regional economic growth and technological advancement across the sector.