By Monsi A. Serrano
As global trade routes grow more complex and increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical disruption in the Indo-Pacific, particularly from China’s assertive and destabilizing actions, sustainability, efficiency, and resilience are no longer optional. They are now business imperatives.
Against this backdrop, the maritime industry is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. At the center of this shift are smart ports—highly automated, data-driven ecosystems designed to move cargo faster, safer, and greener. One terminal now setting a new global benchmark is Evergreen Marine Terminal 7 at Kaohsiung Port, Taiwan.
More than a conventional container terminal, Terminal 7 reflects the long-term strategic vision of Evergreen Marine Corporation—where technology, operational excellence, and environmental responsibility converge to future-proof global shipping.
Automation as a Strategic Advantage
Terminal 7 operates on a fully integrated automation model. Ship-to-shore cranes and yard gantry cranes are remotely controlled from a centralized operations center, significantly reducing human exposure to high-risk environments while boosting productivity and precision.
Speaking to Filipino journalist delegates during the 2025 Taiwan–Philippine Smart Harbor Forum in Kaohsiung, Captain Wu Kuang Hui, president of Evergreen Marine Corporation, said the terminal demonstrates how advanced automation enhances safety, reliability, and throughput across ship-side, yard, and gate operations—critical advantages as supply chains face tighter margins and growing uncertainty.
Equally important, real-time operational data is transmitted directly to customs authorities, accelerating cargo clearance and reducing dwell time—an edge that matters as shipping lines seek alternatives to congested or politically exposed ports.
Contactless, Data-Driven Logistics
From gate entry to yard exit, Terminal 7 leverages OCR smart recognition systems to automatically identify containers, trucks, and license plates. Drivers complete transactions through mobile applications and self-service kiosks without leaving their vehicles.
Dedicated lanes for automated trucks cut congestion, reduce idling time, and lower fuel consumption and emissions. The result is faster truck turnaround, improved safety, and a smoother logistics flow—outcomes that directly translate into cost savings and reliability for cargo owners and shipping lines.
Smart Warehousing Built for Scale
Evergreen’s vision extends beyond quay-side operations. Terminal 7 offers more than 33,000 square meters of advanced warehousing space, featuring high-clearance structures, heavy-load capacity, electronically controlled docks, and temperature-controlled storage.
Smart warehouse management systems, electric forklifts, and optimized traffic lanes elevate the terminal from a simple transshipment point into a fully integrated logistics hub—capable of supporting complex, high-value supply chains.
Security and Sustainability at the Core
Security is embedded into the terminal’s design. A fully integrated intelligent security system—combining perimeter fencing, 360-degree CCTV coverage, and real-time monitoring—ensures rapid response to potential threats, safeguarding both cargo and personnel.
Sustainability is equally central. Terminal 7 is fully electrified, deploys energy-efficient container-handling equipment, and supplements power needs with solar generation. Wastewater is recycled on-site, LED lighting is used throughout the facility, and a SCADA system continuously monitors energy consumption to support Evergreen’s long-term carbon reduction targets.
A Strategic Hub in an Uncertain Indo-Pacific
Situated at the crossroads of major Asia-Pacific, European, and American trade routes, Kaohsiung Port is a critical maritime gateway. With Terminal 7, Evergreen reinforces its role not just as a shipping line, but as a logistics and infrastructure leader—offering shippers a reliable alternative amid rising concerns over supply chain coercion, maritime chokepoints, and regional instability.
For economies like the Philippines—which depend heavily on maritime trade—Terminal 7 provides a compelling blueprint. It shows how strategic investment in automation, digitalization, and sustainability can strengthen port competitiveness, attract global shipping alliances, and insulate trade infrastructure from geopolitical shocks.
In a sideline interview with THEPHILBIZNEWS, Captain Wu explained why Evergreen continues to invest heavily in advanced port technologies.
“The shipping industry is confronting mounting pressures—from decarbonization and digitalization to supply chain resilience in a contested Indo-Pacific,” said Captain Wu. “Smart terminals like Evergreen Marine Terminal 7 offer a clear lesson.”
He added that the future of global maritime trade will not be shaped by scale alone, nor by political leverage, but by intelligent infrastructure, disciplined execution, and sustainable operations.
“For port operators, investors, and policymakers, the message is unmistakable: those who build smart, secure, and future-ready ports today will define the trade routes of tomorrow.”