Automation technologies have garnered significant interest to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in maritime transportation ports. However, there is a lack of academic research focused on the sustainability to implementing automation technology as an operational strategy. Therefore, the objective of this study is to formulate comprehensive operational strategies for container port logistics systems (CPLS) in three dimensions: environment, economy and society, with the integration of automation technology. To achieve this goal, the study employs analytic hierarchy process (AHP), importance-performance analysis (IPA) technique, and a scoring matrix measurement to guide the development of operational strategies. The findings of the study highlight the importance of emphasising sustainability indicators that consider both their importance and performance in driving container port sustainability improvements. Additionally, the study underscores the significance of reengineering processes within CPLS and allocating port resources based on the prioritisation of indicators to ensure the successful development of port operational strategies.