Hutchison Port Holdings, a logistics company, has announced the deployment of autonomous terminal tractor units (ATs) at the Port of Felixstowe in Suffolk.
The units have been put into service for mixed traffic container terminal operations, with the first two battery-powered units being supplied by manufacturer Westwell.
Clemence Cheng, CEO at the Port of Felixstowe, said: “These new autonomous trucks represent a significant technological step forward for the Port of Felixstowe.
“The tools underpinning port operations have evolved continuously and we already have a range of very advanced systems and equipment in place but this is the first time we will have wholly driverless vehicles.
“Safety is our number one priority.
“This applies equally to technological developments and especially when introducing new equipment into live terminal operations.
“The ATs have a range of built-in safety features which will allow them to navigate effectively and safely within our container terminals.”
The trucks operate by using a digital map, which is loaded into a fleet management system responsible for vehicle navigation around the port.
What’s more, the units have reportedly been through a thorough commissioning and testing programme, and will initially be used to transport containers between port terminals.
