COSCO Ports AI Cuts Transport Cost per TEU by 10%

COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited said on August 28, 2026, during its interim-results earnings call that AI-enabled smart transportation had improved unit costs at controlled terminals. The result also reflected digital systems, equipment upgrades and process optimization, so it cannot be attributed to AI alone.[1]

AI enters core container transport operations

COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited operates port terminals, with terminal handling and related services forming its operating activity. Its AI-enabled smart transportation application helps operators at controlled terminals coordinate and optimize container movements. The application sits directly in the production and delivery of terminal services, aiming to raise handled volume and lower transport cost per TEU.

The application's disclosed history currently has one point. On August 28, 2026, the company first described it at the level of live operations and quantified results, with full-scenario smart transportation deployed at 7 controlled terminals. There is no second disclosure with quoted evidence in the covered period, so no change in deployment scope or operating performance can yet be established.

The clearest result is unit cost

The current figures show both usage and unit economics. The terminals handled 0.7 million TEUs through the transportation system in the first half. The company also said handled volume increased 25%, but did not identify the comparison period, preventing a trend calculation. More clearly, average cost per TEU for smart transportation was 10% below traditional trucks, a direct unit-cost measure for the deployed operation.[1]

Lower transport cost per TEU could flow through to operating costs and port-business profit. If the difference applies to sufficient container volume and is not offset by other costs, the unit cost of delivering terminal services could decline. However, the company did not bridge the application to operating costs or profit, and it did not separate the contributions of AI, digital systems, equipment upgrades and process optimization. The 10% difference therefore describes the combined smart-transportation system versus traditional trucks, not AI's standalone effect.

The evidence confirms that AI-enabled smart transportation has entered core terminal operations with disclosed deployment, volume and unit-cost measures. Its contribution to the company's financial statements remains unquantified. A tighter financial assessment would require the company to connect covered TEU volume and unit-cost changes to port-business operating costs or profit and separate the contribution of each operational change.

Application assessment

• AI Smart Terminal Transportation | Business position: Core operations | Deployment stage: Limited production | Scope: Multiple businesses or regions | Value type: Cost reduction

Source

[1] Drillr · COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited (CSPKY) · 2026-08-28 · Earnings call

Original: In the first half, we handled 0.7 million TEUs, an increase of 25%, while average cost per TEU decreased by 10% compared to traditional trucks, progressively demonstrating cost reduction and efficiency enhancement effects.