From May 12th to 13th, 2022, the 2nd International Symposium on Automation in Manufacturing and Logistics (ISAML2022) 1st National Conference on Multimodal Transportation of China organized by Wuhan University of Technology and Multimodal Transportation Branch of Chinese Society of Optimization, Overall Planning and Economical Mathematics was held both online and offline. It was aimed atpromoting academic exchanges and scientific and technological innovation in intelligent manufacturing, logistics automation and multimodal transport, and strengthening the understanding and cooperation of experts and scholars in these fields. Withthe theme of Multimodal Transport and Port Logistics: New models, New technologies and New equipment, this conference also served as the theme forum of Young Teachers Association for Science and Technology of WUT. The conference was jointly sponsored by the School of Transportation and Logistics Engineering of WUT, Base for International Science and Technology Cooperation on Smart Shipping and Maritime Safety and Base of Foreign Outstanding Expertise-Introduction for Disciplines innovation for Smart Shipping and Maritime Safety.

Chief professor Yan Xinping, the expert of the advisory committee of the conference, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of the National Engineering Research Center of Water Transport Safety, Song Weihong, deputy director of the International Office of WUT, and Professor Chen Dingfang, the national expert and senior professor of WUT attended the meeting on the invitation.

Professor Luo Rong, the assistant to the president of WUT and chairman of the Young Teachers Association for Science and Technology of WUT, delivered an opening speech, saying that transportation equipment manufacturing and logistics automation were the basis and important means for the development of transportation engineering, and pointing out that multimodal transportation was the new trend of intelligent transportation development. Therefore, this meeting is not only a pragmatic move to actively respond to the country's strong advocacy of international exchanges and cooperation, but also a strategic move to effectively improve the scientific and technological innovation capability of WUT and provide a strong impetus for the high-quality development of WUT.

The 2nd International Symposium on Automation in Manufacturing and Logistics is divided into two sessions: invited experts’ reports and doctoral student forum presentations. On the afternoon of May 12th, six experts gave keynote reports on invitation, includingProf. ZaiLi Yang of Liverpool John Moores University, Prof. Alexander Kuznetsov of Russian National Ocean University, Prof. Emrah Demir of Cardiff University, Dr. Bilge Atasoy, the assistant professor of Delft University of Technology, Dr. Maria Pia Fanti, the assistant professor of Bari University of Technology, and Dr. Xinhu Cao, assistant researcher of National University of Singapore. Professor Li Wenfeng of WUT and Professor Yang Zhongzhen of Ningbo University presided over the report meeting.

On the morning of May 13th, six experts made keynote reports, including national distinguished young scholarXiao Feng of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Professor Jia Peng from Dalian Maritime University, Professor Zhong Ming of WUT, Professor Liu Dacheng from Tsinghua University, Senior Engineer Zhang Yaozhou from Shanghai Zhenhua Design and Research Institute and Professor Yang Zhongzhen from Ningbo University. Associate Professor Han Bing of Shanghai Maritime University and Professor Yang Jiaqi of WUT presided over the report meeting.

On the afternoon of May 13th, the Doctoral Forum was held in two sub venues, chaired by Associate Professor Cao Jingjing and Professor Ouyang Wu of the School of Transportation and Logistics Engineering of WUT respectively. The doctoral students participating in the forum came from domestic and foreign universities such as Shandong University, Dalian Maritime University, Wuhan University of Technology, National University of Singapore, and Delft University of Technology.

According to statistics, over 150 participants took part in the international symposium both online and offline. Participants held discussions on the theme of the conference and conducted in-depth exchanges on academic issues such as multimodal transport, intelligent logistics and manufacturing, digital port and smart port innovation management. The conference is of great significance to enhance the academic influence of WUT in this field and further promoteinterscholastic communication and cooperation.

Written by: Mei Jie, Tao Menglun, Cai Yan, Wang Guoquan, Cai Lei

Rewritten by: Luo Qiyun

Reviewed by: Zhang Di, Yuan Chengqing, Li Wenfeng

Edited by: Li Tiantian

Source: School of Transportation and Logistics Engineering