Julia Rwigamba

Cargo Handling

Westwell ink deal for 100 autonomous trucks

The Port of Felixstowe, in partnership with Shanghai Westwell Technology, has recently inked a groundbreaking agreement for the acquisition of an additional 100 battery-powered autonomous trucks.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing operational efficiency and consistency in container handling while making substantial contributions to the port's decarbonization efforts. Delivery of the autonomous trucks is scheduled to commence in September 2023.

Hutchison Ports, the parent company of the Port of Felixstowe, initially introduced Westwell's innovative Q-Trucks at Terminal D in Thailand's Laem Chabang Port in 2020. Since their introduction, 15 of these autonomous units have been operating in mixed mode alongside regular traffic, seamlessly executing over 334,000 teu moves.

Clemence Cheng, CEO of the Port of Felixstowe and executive director of Hutchison Ports, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Westwell, stating, "We are really excited to be working in partnership with Westwell to bring their ground-breaking and AI-driven technology to the Port of Felixstowe. Following the positive introduction of autonomous trucks at our terminal in Thailand and after thorough and successful testing in Felixstowe, we are rolling the system out in the UK."

Kenny Tan, chairman of Westwell, highlighted the potential of their holistic solution in new energy autonomous driving to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and promote sustainable development. Tan emphasized the significance of the contract in Westwell's Ainergy Strategy, which aims to leverage AI applications for energy consumption reduction and facilitate decarbonization. Furthermore, he expressed the company's commitment to explore opportunities for commercializing new developments with Hutchison Ports, with a shared vision of equipping global logistics for sustainable growth.

The addition of these autonomous trucks aligns with the Port of Felixstowe's comprehensive decarbonization strategy, which aims to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035. In parallel with the deployment of autonomous trucks, the port is investing in battery-powered conventional tractor units, modernizing and re-engineering its yard cranes, and sourcing electricity exclusively from certified renewable sources. These collective efforts demonstrate the port's commitment to sustainable operations and environmental stewardship.

Following the signing ceremony for the autonomous trucks, Clemence Cheng and Kenny Tan engaged in further discussions regarding the establishment of a new facility for Westwell within Freeport East, a significant initiative in which the Port of Felixstowe actively participates. This potential collaboration highlights the ongoing partnership between the two entities and their shared commitment to driving innovation and sustainable development within the logistics industry.

Written by Julia Rwigamba
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Source : Foreign Policy - Click Here >>>