China is expanding its use of automated port technology as it prepares to host world leaders for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen on November 18-19, 2026. The Chinese Ministry of Transport reported in May that the country currently operates 60 automated terminals, including the New Qianwan Container Terminal in Qingdao, which the ministry describes as the world's first fully automated facility. Beijing aims to increase this number to 90 by 2030 to gain a competitive advantage in an industry that handles 80% of global trade by volume.
This push follows the collapse of LOGINK, a Chinese-backed shipping data platform that ceased operations after Western officials expressed concerns over its potential use as a trade tool. During preparatory meetings for the upcoming APEC summit, Chinese representatives proposed leading working groups on electronic bills of lading and AI-powered customs databases. A May editorial from the Chinese transport ministry stated that the nation completing digital transformation first would gain the "upper hand" in global shipping competition.
Western analysts and U.S. government-funded researchers have expressed concern regarding China's growing influence in maritime infrastructure. Isaac Kardon, an expert at the Institute for Defense Analyses, stated that dependence on Chinese shipping technology could allow for economic coercion or the use of digital back doors for surveillance. U.S. officials previously pressured allies to cut ties with LOGINK, fearing it could track sensitive cargo like arms. While Chinese firms like Westwell and Huawei are exporting hardware such as driverless trucks to ports like Felixstowe in Britain, China has faced more difficulty displacing terminal operating systems (TOS) produced by U.S. firms.
A 2024 Government Accountability Office report to Congress found that the 10 largest U.S. ports were less automated than their international counterparts. For the average consumer and business owner, these developments influence the speed and cost of moving goods through the global supply chain. If Chinese software systems like the homegrown TOS recently installed at Brazil’s Paranagua port become the global standard, Chinese state-backed firms could manage the digital flow of information for a significant portion of international commerce. This would mean that processing customs, unloading cargo, and tracking vehicles would occur on Chinese-developed platforms rather than systems controlled by U.S. or European firms.
The next steps in this technological expansion will be discussed during the APEC summit starting November 18, 2026. Negotiators will review Chinese proposals for digital trade standards and AI integration in customs. Meanwhile, state-backed China Merchants Port is continuing to roll out homegrown software at terminals in Sri Lanka, Greece, Italy, and Turkey. The U.S. government has not yet issued a formal response to these specific APEC proposals, but past actions regarding LOGINK suggest continued scrutiny of Chinese maritime software exports. A 2025 filing by China Merchants Port confirmed a ministry project is underway to replace foreign systems at international ports.
What happens next: The APEC summit in Shenzhen is scheduled for November 18-19, 2026. China's stated goal is to reach 90 automated terminals by 2030. No specific court dates or legislative votes are currently scheduled, though the U.S. Congress continues to monitor port automation through GAO reports and executive agency oversight.