SHANGHAI, December 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On December 24, Henan Province’s first dedicated container terminal, with an annual handling capacity of 1 million TEUs, officially began operations in the core operational area of the central port area of Zhoukou Port. Twelve automated harbor cranes and an integrated automation system, custom-built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (ZPMC), were put into service simultaneously. The project marks a new phase in the digitalization, automation and scaling of river transportation in Central China, while providing a repeatable automation model specifically designed for inland river operating conditions.
As a flagship project of the “11246” inland waterway development initiative of Henan Province, the core operational zone of the central port area of Zhoukou Port is positioned as a key logistics hub connecting central and western China with the Yangtze River Delta. The project includes 13 berths capable of handling 2,000 tonne vessels, with an expected annual throughput of 1.075 million TEUs. Once fully operational, Zhoukou Port will operate as a specialized, hub-oriented multimodal port, meeting domestic demand while connecting to global markets. It is expected to become one of China’s major inland ports, enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating the flow of goods from Henan to overseas destinations, while serving as a gateway for deeper integration into the global maritime trade network.
As a supplier of intelligent equipment and systems for the core operational area of Zhoukou Port, ZPMC has met the challenges posed by complex inland hydrological conditions and navigation requirements. The company has developed and manufactured six modular, energy-efficient ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and six rail-mounted gantry (RMG) cranes configured for inland waterways. STS cranes feature lightweight structural designs and reduced wind load profiles. RMG cranes incorporate an “8-rope 2.0” anti-sway system, allowing a single cycle operating time of 120 seconds. Together, these systems support high-throughput, stable and reliable inland terminal operations.
Additionally, the automation system provided by ZPMC integrates terminal management and control software throughout the entire container handling process, from vessel operations to horizontal transportation and yard management. It replaces traditional, labor-intensive workflows with automated, digitally coordinated end-to-end operations, enabling real-time, system-wide coordination. After commissioning, the productivity of Zhoukou Port’s STS cranes is expected to increase by 30 percent, with each crane capable of handling up to 120,000 TEUs per year, significantly improving throughput capacity and competitiveness while providing a validated and scalable framework for modernizing inland port operations across China.
SOURCEZPMC
