A team of engineers from Qingdao Port, East China's Shandong province has actively promoted independent innovation since its establishment in 2013, helping turn the facility into Asia's first fully automated port, according to a news report on Dec 29.

Called the "Liangang Innovative Team", this group of engineers has helped the fully automated container terminal at Qingdao Port achieve an average efficiency rate of moving 47.6 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per hour using a single crane earlier this month, setting a new world record for the sixth time.

The outstanding achievements made by the port was unimaginable seven years ago, when China did not even have an automated port.

Zhang Liangang, the leader of the team, and his teammates took just three years to set up the automated terminal – such an undertaking usually requires 10 years.

"Innovation has always been the primary driver of development, and we should stick to innovative development, and speed up breakthroughs on core and key technologies with the aim of pursuing scientific and technological development," said Zhang.

Zhang's team was granted the title "Role Model of the Times" in recognition of their achievements by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee on Dec 30.

Zhang Liangang (left) and his colleague work at the port terminal at Qingdao Port, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]