Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) will introduce 116 Li-Ion AGVs from Konecranes in a transition to a fully electric Automated Horizontal Transport System at its Container Terminal Burchardkai (CTB). This largest-ever single order for Konecranes Gottwald AGVs, booked in 2022, will support HHLA in becoming more efficient and reaching its goal of carbon neutrality by 2040. Deliveries will continue through 2025 and take HHLA’s total Konecranes AGV fleet size to more than 200 vehicles.
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The Konecranes Gottwald AGVs are being used for automated container transport at the Waltershofer Hafen container hub, which spans a total quay length of 3.6 kilometers. The delivery includes a CE TYPE Approved Interchange and Fence Control safety system connected to CTB’s quay cranes and automated stacking cranes, ensuring integrated and safe operations from shipside to landside.
Ingo Witte, General Manager of HHLA Container Terminal Burchardkai, highlighted the terminal’s transition from manual, diesel-powered operations to a fully electric and automated future, stating, “We are nearing the completion of our conversion from manual straddle carrier operations to automated, emission-free AGVs between the quay and storage blocks. Konecranes has played a pivotal role in supporting us to achieve our ambitious carbon-reduction goals. HHLA aims to be carbon neutral by 2040.”
“The 20-year collaboration with Konecranes includes joint research and development on AGV battery technology with HHLA’s Container Terminal Altenwerder – the world’s first certified climate-neutral container terminal. With the transformation of CTB, HHLA is taking another significant step forward. This comprehensive modernization project is regarded as the largest brownfield upgrade of an operational plant in the global industry. Once fully implemented, this transformation will enable us to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 12,000 tons annually,” Witte added.
“We began our journey with HHLA during the diesel-hydraulic era and have progressed together through various technologies, including lead-acid batteries. Konecranes has made many deliveries to HHLA and we’ve built a strong relationship over the years,” said Ralf Konnerth, Director of Automated Horizontal Transport at Konecranes.
“It’s rewarding to see our latest generation of AGV with Li-Ion battery technology in use at Container Terminal Burchardkai, supporting HHLA’s journey to net-zero,” added Konnerth. “Konecranes is dedicated to assisting HHLA in managing this intricate brownfield integration while maintaining port operations. Our shared goal is to smoothly implement advanced functionality at CTB.”
This delivery to HHLA is representative of Konecranes’ path to port automation, where container terminals improve productivity and safety in manageable steps. From smart features up to full automation, the path can include supervised operation and remote operation to smoothly introduce the power of automation. The path to port automation applies to all container handling equipment brands. Full automation can be the final goal but it doesn’t have to be. Flexibility is the key.
The delivery is also an example of Ecolifting, Konecranes’ vision to increase its handprint – meaning the beneficial environmental impact that can be achieved with our product and service portfolio – while reducing customers’ carbon footprints. From eco-optimizing diesel drives to hybridization and fully electrified fleets, we will continue to do more with less.
A strong focus on customers and commitment to business growth and continuous improvement make Konecranes a material handling industry leader. This is underpinned by investments in digitalization and technology, plus our work to make material flows more efficient with solutions that advance circularity and safety.