The design of automated container terminals requires knowledge of various disciplines，high accuracy，short project cycle，and BIM digital delivery. In terms of these problems，this paper utilizes the Qinzhou 7#-10# automated container terminal project to apply the BIM technology in the design stage and optimize the design scheme. Furthermore，based on a three-dimensional visual scene and digital results，the paper deeply explores the application value of BIM and presents the loading and unloading process of the automated terminal by three-dimensional simulation. At the same time，as the owner requires a BIM application in the whole life cycle of the project，the paper takes the segmentation and coding requirements of BIM application in the construction stage into account in the design stage，which promotes the implementation of BIM technology in the whole life cycle of the project and the exchange of engineering information. This paper explores a set of effective technical routes and solutions for BIM design and application in automated container terminals，which can provide a practical reference for the application and promotion of BIM technology in similar projects.