IDC Future Enterprise Awards: Special Award for Smart Cities - Best in Connected City Award Winner Profile 2025

Yantai Port used a master plan with phased execution to create a connected port ecosystem. It unified cloud, network, and cybersecurity, set closed-loop data governance, and built digital twins and a big data platform with APIs and predictive models. Smart equipment, control cockpits, and online services improved efficiency, energy use, and profitability while enabling secure operations and partner interoperability."Yantai Port demonstrates how large-scale industrial infrastructure can evolve into a connected ecosystem when data, connectivity, and operations are integrated under a unified digital architecture. By combining digital twins, intelligent automation, and strong data governance, the port has moved beyond isolated digital projects to create a platform that continuously improves operational efficiency, sustainability, and supply chain collaboration. This model illustrates how smart city principles can extend into industrial logistics hubs, delivering both economic and environmental impact," says Ravikant Sharma, research director, IDC Public Sector."Yantai Port shows what connected city principles look like in heavy industry. When cloud, network, data governance, and digital twins move in sync, the port stops reacting to events and starts running on foresight. The real differentiator is operational connectivity that spans equipment, people, and partners, not isolated pilots. This foundation also positions the port to scale more autonomous AI safely, with visibility, controls, and accountability built in," adds Manoj Vallikkat, senior research manager, IDC Public Sector.