On September 2, 2026, the Transport and Logistics Bureau of Hong Kong announced that the Hong Kong Harbour Alliance had successfully completed 8335 container loading and unloading operations for MSC FEBE, a super large container ship under the Mediterranean Shipping Company, breaking the record for the highest loading and unloading volume of a single vessel docked in Hong Kong. The captain is 400 meters long and has a cargo capacity of over 23000 TEUs. Upon arrival at the port, it immediately berthed at Kwai Tsing Container Terminal and operated at full speed for over 80 hours.

Compared to the average loading and unloading capacity of about 3000 to 4000 times for typical ultra large vessels, the handling capacity of this project has more than doubled. During peak operating hours, each quay crane handles an average of over 34 loading and unloading operations per hour, demonstrating extremely high operational efficiency.

Smart Port Transformation Helps Efficient Operations

This record breaking operation confirms the hard power of Hong Kong ports in terminal scheduling and responding to massive throughput demands. Legislative Council member Lam Ming fung pointed out that the Hong Kong Harbour Alliance's flexible allocation of supporting resources across ports, in conjunction with skilled frontline operation teams, is the core factor of this success. At the same time, intelligent facilities are gradually playing an auxiliary role - COSCO International Container Terminal has introduced AI intrusion detection systems, unmanned trailers, and remotely operated gantry cranes. The unmanned trailers are powered by electricity, and each unit has an annual carbon reduction effect equivalent to planting 4000 trees.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics of Hong Kong, Chen Meibao, stated that this record fully demonstrates Hong Kong's unique advantages as a "catch up port". The government will continue to work closely with the industry to consolidate and enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's port. Keywords: port logistics, container loading and unloading

With the explicit support of the 15th Five Year Plan for Hong Kong to consolidate its position as an international shipping center, Hong Kong is accelerating its transformation towards digitization, intelligence, and greenness. According to the latest statistics, the cargo throughput of Hong Kong ports in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 2.2% year-on-year to 42 million metric tons, with inbound and outbound port cargo increasing by 0.7% and 4.4% respectively. Faced with changes in the global supply chain landscape, Hong Kong is continuously strengthening its unique advantages as a transit hub in the Asia Pacific region through efficient operations and intelligent transformation.Editor/Cheng Liting