Autonomous Terminal Tractor in RoRo Port Operations

 


EasyMile, a specialist in autonomous vehicle technology, and Terberg Special Vehicles, a manufacturer of terminal tractors, recently announced a groundbreaking achievement in autonomy on ports. Their jointly developed tractor has been successfully deployed for the first time in roll-on/roll-off port operations at the DFDS terminal in Rotterdam (Vlaardingen), The Netherlands.

The autonomous terminal tractor successfully completed a series of complex tasks including driverless trailer transfer, shunting from point A to point B and for the first time, autonomous driving on and off a ship.

Demonstrating driverless trailer transfer in real port operations represents a significant leap forward in the evolution of autonomous logistics. This innovative technology showcases the vehicles ability to maneuver independently and effectively in complex environments, traffic and weather conditions and underscores their potential to transform the efficiency and sustainability of port operations. By successfully conducting trailer transfers autonomously, these vehicles can add capacity, minimize errors, and contribute to the overall efficiency of port logistics.

Shunting from point A to point B using driverless technology in port operations exemplifies the intersection of automation and efficiency. By harnessing driverless technology, the process of moving cargo between 2 specific points in a port becomes not only precise and reliable but also highly streamlined. The EasyMile/Terberg vehicle is equipped with advanced sensors and navigation systems that ensure safe and efficient shunting operations.

Roll-on/roll-off port operations with a driverless terminal tractor could significantly reduce turnaround times, improved space utilization, and enhance safety within port environments. It is a significant milestone within the AWARD H2020 project, led by EasyMile. The project’s aim is to develop a safe and scalable autonomous driving system for heavy-duty autonomous vehicles in real-life operations, including ports.

During the demonstration the vehicle was operated by a fleet management system (FMS), developed by Applied Autonomy, enabling fully automated and secure movement within and outside the port terminal. The FMS was in constant communication with DFDS’ systems, exchanging information around the vehicle and its work orders, facilitating secure entry and exit from the terminal without the need for any action by a safety driver. This represents an important step towards fully automated process chains, which are further expected to improve global efficiency by reducing the turnaround time for unloading containers, and significantly reducing CO2 emissions.

The successful deployment at DFDS’ Rotterdam terminal demonstrates the feasibility of integrating autonomous vehicles into port operations, paving the way for more efficient, cost-effective, and safe supply chain management.

“We are excited to see our technology making a real impact in the port industry. The driverless terminal tractor not only improves the efficiency of port operations but also contributes to our collective goal of adding capacity and promoting safe autonomous transport systems in the logistics sector,”stated Jean-Baptiste Blin of EasyMile.

“Our partnership with EasyMile has allowed us to leverage our expertise in terminal tractors while incorporating advanced autonomous systems. This achievement showcases how autonomous vehicles can add capacity and efficiency to the way we handle cargo in ports,” added Remy de Bruijn, of Terberg Special Vehicles.

DFDS, a leading European shipping and logistics company, expressed their enthusiasm for the successful integration of the driverless terminal tractor.

“This is a significant step forward in our mission to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of our terminal operations. We are proud to be part of the AWARD H2020 project and to witness this groundbreaking achievement,” said Richard van Kleef, DFDS Port director in Rotterdam.

EasyMile is a driverless technology leader who partners with vehicle manufacturers to provide autonomous solutions. 
These include a terminal tractor, the EZTug, which automates horizontal container transport on ports. The EZTow tow-tractor which is being used by a growing number of large vehicle manufacturing plants in North America and Europe, as well as at major international airports.  Finally, the EZ10 is the most deployed autonomous shuttle in the world.

Since 2014, the company has become known for quality delivery and real-world deployments. Its proven technology is the safest on the market and has driven in 400+ locations in more than 30 countries, over 1,000,000 km.

The AWARD H2020 project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program and focuses on autonomous solutions for last mile logistics operations in port environments. It brings together leading companies and organizations to advance the adoption of autonomous technologies in the logistics sector.

Source: EasyMile, Terberg Special Vehicles

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