Shanghai is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) pilot testing base to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies across port operations, cargo transportation and multimodal logistics, as China steps up efforts to integrate intelligent technologies into its transportation infrastructure.
The initiative was announced on November 7, 2026, during the AI + Transportation Shanghai 2026 event at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. According to the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, the facility is designed to provide an environment for testing and validating AI applications before their deployment in real-world shipping and logistics operations.
The testing base is being developed by Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), in cooperation with academic institutions and industry partners.
Three Key Areas of AI Development
The facility will concentrate on three major areas of application:
- Port cargo handling: Testing AI solutions to improve cargo handling processes and terminal operations.
- Port collection and distribution: Developing intelligent systems to manage cargo movements between ports and surrounding transport networks.
- Multimodal transportation: Exploring AI applications to improve coordination and efficiency across different modes of transport.
The testing infrastructure will incorporate computing resources, data storage, network connectivity and security systems, supported by industry-specific datasets, AI models and an AI agent management platform.
The core infrastructure has already been substantially completed, with 54 business-oriented AI agents integrated into the platform. These agents will support the development, testing and validation of AI applications for the shipping and logistics industry.
Shanghai Unveils Wider AI Transportation Strategy
The initiative forms part of Shanghai’s broader strategy to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across its transportation ecosystem.
At the same event, authorities introduced the Shanghai AI + Transportation Innovation Application Action Plan, outlining measures to integrate AI into ports, aviation, railways, road transportation, autonomous driving and logistics.
The plan identifies three technological priorities: developing transportation-specific AI models and intelligent agents, building high-quality industry datasets, and strengthening computing infrastructure.
Proposed applications include autonomous port collection and distribution operations, digital twins of transportation infrastructure and AI-powered public services.
Shanghai also plans to establish a trusted transportation data-sharing environment while strengthening AI application assessment, technical standardisation and algorithm security.
Yangtze River Delta Cooperation on Transportation AI
The event also witnessed the establishment of a Yangtze River Delta regional coordination centre for the Transport Large Model Innovation and Industry Alliance.
Based in Shanghai, the centre will facilitate cooperation among Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui, with a focus on joint technology development, data sharing and the deployment of AI applications across regional transportation networks.
Meanwhile, Tongji University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Shanghai Maritime University showcased research developments in intelligent vessel navigation, port digital twins and transportation AI models.
The universities are expected to strengthen collaboration in research, technology development and professional training to support the wider adoption of AI across the transportation sector.
According to the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, the new testing base will serve as a bridge between AI research and commercial application, enabling technologies to undergo practical validation before being introduced into operational shipping, port and logistics activities.