China is training an artificial intelligence tool to support the country’s port industry using what the National Development and Reform Commission says is the “world’s largest” port operation data set.
The AI application draws on data covering “the most comprehensive range of port business scenarios”, according to Li Chao, deputy director of the NDRC’s policy research office.
“It will provide strong support for technological research and development as well as verification in areas such as port operations and autonomous driving,” Li told reporters in Beijing on Thursday.
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“It has gathered [data from] hundreds of AI technology suppliers and port sector users, significantly lowering the threshold for AI application development in the port industry.”
China was home to six of the world’s top 10 container ports in terms of volume in 2024, according to trade association the World Shipping Council.
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Those ports are Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Guangzhou and Tianjin.

