SPOTLIGHT: German ports

Green talks

The Hamburg port authority Hamburger Hafen und Logistik (HHLA) has been holding talks with COSCO Shipping Ports and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Referring to the publication of a mandatory announcement by COSCO Shipping Ports (CSPL) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 6 January 2023, a HHLA spokesperson stated: “We can confirm that in objective, constructive talks between HHLA, CSPL and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, it has been possible to agree on concrete conditions for CSPL’s participation in HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort.

“HHLA and CSPL are currently in talks to clarify the final details and are aiming to finalise the transaction soon. HHLA is pleased to continue the co-operation with its long-standing business partner COSCO on a new level.”

Since October 2022, HHLA and CSPL have agreed under certain conditions to discuss a shareholding of less than 25% in HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort with the German government. The parties have agreed not to disclose the contents of the agreement.

Innovative solution

Other activities by HHLA include a pilot project for highly automated and electric container logistics at the HHLA TK Estonia terminal in Tallinn in partnership with HHLA International. The aim of the project is to develop solutions for the gradual automation of trucks within live operations.

HHLA Next is investing in technology start-up Fernride’s innovative solution to drive forward automation and sustainability in logistics and to address the lack of truck drivers.

Fernride equips trucks and tractor units with sensors and cameras so that they can be remote-controlled via mobile networks.

In the drive towards automated transport logistics, Fernride’s approach lies in the gradually increasing autonomy of trucks and tractor units. The combination of autonomous driving technology of the vehicles and human expertise in remote operation already offers a reliable service available now in live operations. This creates an immediate added value and speeds up the journey towards more sustainable logistics.

Simone Lode, managing director of HHLA Next, comments: “We at HHLA Next invest in digital and sustainable business models in maritime logistics.

We see great potential in autonomous driving solutions, also because of the current lack of truck drivers.

“With Fernride, we are investing in a company that has already implemented a viable solution with a partner network of respected companies from industry and logistics with very good results. In addition, the project highlights our focus on sustainable logistics.”

Hendrik Kramer, chief executive of Fernride, adds: “HHLA is the perfect partner to use our platform for autonomous electric trucking in ports. The advantages of remote control can already be actively used by a part of the workforce within ports. With our solution, truck drivers can now also benefit. HHLA shares our ambition to scale this technology internationally, and the port in Tallinn offers ideal conditions in which to lay the foundation for this.”

HHLA Next is providing the new portfolio company with access to subsidiaries in the HHLA Group. A pilot project will start early this year at the HHLA TK Estonia terminal in Tallinn – the first Fernride project at a container terminal.

The goal of the project is to determine the technology’s operational reliability in automated container handling and to validate the technology’s viability for future business opportunities.