Hong Kong government outlines plans to boost port automation and smart shipping
Hong Kong's government details progress on Kwai Tsing container terminal automation, including 67 remote-operated cranes and six driverless electric tractors. It also updates on the Port Community System with over 9,000 registered firms, a smart logistics scheme, and autonomous vessel trials, while
The Hong Kong government has provided a detailed update on its efforts to digitalise and automate the city's port industry, in line with national and local five-year plans. Responding to a legislative question on 11 November 2026, the government outlined progress on smart port development, data sharing, and coordination with other Greater Bay Area ports.
At the Kwai Tsing container terminals, which comprise 24 berths across nine terminals operated by five private firms, automation is advancing gradually. A total of 67 quay cranes, representing about 16 per cent of all cranes at the complex, are now equipped for remote operation, while six driverless electric tractors are in use. The government said it is working with the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board and terminal operators to formulate a roadmap for further intelligent upgrades, balancing efficiency gains with operational flexibility and investment capacity.
The Port Community System, a government-led digital platform launched in January 2026, has registered over 9,000 enterprises, including terminal operators, shipping lines, logistics firms and traders. Among them, about 6,000 firms are engaged in logistics and shipping agency services, accounting for more than 60 per cent of all registered users. Separately, the Future Smart Logistics Acceleration Plan, launched in June 2026, had received seven applications by October, with three approved for total subsidies of HK$1.23 million.
On cybersecurity, the government said operators of critical infrastructure must comply with the Protection of Critical Infrastructure (Computer Systems) Ordinance, which requires safety plans, risk assessments and emergency drills. The Port Community System follows government IT security policies and undergoes regular audits to safeguard commercial data and privacy.
Regarding autonomous vessels, the government is studying international rules published by the International Maritime Organization in May 2026 and relevant national standards. It is considering amendments to Hong Kong's maritime regulations and upgrading port monitoring systems. Trial runs will be approved on a case-by-case basis, balancing safety with innovation.
On multimodal connectivity, the government noted that in 2025, container throughput between Hong Kong and Shenzhen's Yantian port reached about 336,000 TEUs, up 13 per cent year-on-year, while traffic with Guangxi totalled about 276,000 TEUs, up 21 per cent. The government does not hold specific data on individual block-train and sea-rail services operated by private port operators.
To foster coordination among the three world-class ports in the Greater Bay Area – Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou – the government said it will use various platforms to promote high-quality, complementary development. The first five-year plan for Hong Kong's economy and society, published in September 2026, prioritises this strategy to enhance the region's overall competitiveness.