Recently, Ningbo Container Factory, a subsidiary of COSCO SHIPPING Development, officially earned

level 4 certification under the Intelligent Manufacturing Capability Maturity Model (CMMM),

becoming the first enterprise in China’s container industry

to reach the “Optimized” level.

For Ningbo Container Factory,

this marks another milestone following its 2024 certification

as the industry’s first CMMM Level 3 enterprise,

reflecting its continued advancement in intelligent manufacturing

and another major step forward.

What Does the “Optimized” Level Mean?

The CMMM framework divides intelligent manufacturing maturity into five levels. Level 4, or the “Optimized” level

 requires enterprises to achieve data-driven self-learning, self-adaptation, and continuous optimization across core manufacturing processes. 

Only a limited number of manufacturers nationwide have achieved Level 4 certification, 

and Ningbo Container Factory is the first in the container industry to do so.

From Level 3 to Level 4,

Ningbo Container Factory has undergone

a systematic transformation—

from data-driven operations to model-based applications

and ultimately to full connectivity across all production factors.

By benchmarking its capabilities against each requirement

and strengthening them step by step,

the factory has established a closed loop spanning data collection and analysis,

decision-making, and optimization,

earning strong recognition from the assessment team.

Homegrown Innovation in Action

Ningbo Container Factory has implemented innovative solutions in areas including

online coating-quality inspection,

predictive equipment maintenance,

and intelligent production scheduling.

Independently Developed Innovations

Its non-contact paint-film inspection technology

is the first of its kind in the container industry.

Its predictive maintenance system for key equipment

and APS intelligent production-scheduling model

have also delivered significant results in high-volume, continuous-production environments.

Smart Warehouse Dispatching Demonstration

Steel Coil Outbound Handling Demonstration

The Numbers Tell the Story

To date,

Ningbo Container Factory has deployed 19 AI models,

covering the entire manufacturing process.

All key equipment across the factory has adopted

CNC technology and achieved network connectivity.

The factory has secured 72 intellectual property authorizations

and participated in drafting six container industry standards.

Its advanced manufacturing practices

have also been replicated and implemented across multiple enterprises.

The upgrade in Ningbo Container Factory’s intelligent manufacturing maturity

marks an important step forward for COSCO SHIPPING Development

in advancing smart manufacturing capabilities.

On this journey of innovation and expanding horizons,

COSCO SHIPPING Development is

taking steady, determined steps

toward the next stage of intelligent manufacturing.