Liftoff in demand for automated ports

Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co Ltd, the world's biggest port machinery manufacturer, said it sees automated port terminals becoming a new growth engine and expects them to further expand to reach 100 countries and regions in 2017.

The goal to grab a bigger slice of the international market will be achieved by continued innovations in engineering and the Belt and Road Initiative, a government-backed initiative, to enhance connectivity and promote trade, said Song Hailiang, chairman of ZPMC and vice-president of its parent China Communications Construction Co Ltd.

"ZPMC is a pioneer and a steady enforcer of the Belt and Road Initiative," he said.