Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has inaugurated the first test field for hydrogen-powered port logistics and the corresponding hydrogen refuelling station at the Port of Hamburg in Germany.
Located at the Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT), this test field represents a significant milestone in the journey toward decarbonizing logistics. In collaboration with partner companies from the Clean Port & Logistics cluster, HHLA is assessing the reliability of hydrogen as a fuel source for heavy goods vehicles during operations.
Angela Titzrath, CEO of HHLA, officially opened the test field on 2 July 2024, accompanied by Dr Melanie Leonhard, senator for Economy and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Christian Maaß, director of Heat, Hydrogen & Efficiency at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Antje Roß, manager of Port Networks and Applications at NOW GmbH, and Dr Lucien Robroek, president of the Technology Solutions Division at Hyster-Yale Materials Handling. The event featured the successful refuelling of a hydrogen-powered tractor unit.
“We’re pleased to open the first test field for hydrogen-powered port logistics today. It enables us to test future technologies, gather valuable data and evaluate the results. In this way, we are shaping the sustainable future of logistics and continuing to invest in innovative technologies. We are sharing our findings with companies facing similar challenges in order to develop climate-friendly transport solutions together. Our objective is clear: We want to decarbonise the logistics sector and achieve our target of climate-neutral operations throughout the Group by 2040,” stated Angela Titzrath.
With the launch of the test field and hydrogen refuelling station, the necessary infrastructure is now in place to accelerate the transition to emissions-free heavy goods logistics and port operations, advancing the decarbonization of logistics.
Moreover, equipment such as straddle carriers, empty container stackers, forklift trucks, reach stackers, tractor units, and trucks can be efficiently fueled to 350 bar with green hydrogen. The refuelling station is open to the public, offering other companies the chance to test climate-friendly transport solutions. Terminal check-in requires registration through the Passify app.
“With Clean Port & Logistics, a lighthouse project for the use of hydrogen in port logistics has been created at the Port of Hamburg. From forklift trucks to tractor units and trucks – the hydrogen infrastructure we are funding here is paving the way for climate-friendly logistics on site. I hope that the hydrogen test field will have a strong signalling effect thanks to the commitment of the port players. This is the only way we will succeed in making logistics in Germany climate-friendly,” explained Dr Volker Wissing, Germany’s Federal Minister for Digital and Transport.
Since 2022, HHLA has collaborated with over 40 partner companies worldwide in the Clean Port & Logistics (CPL) cluster. The collective aim is to bring hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicles and terminal equipment to market and establish the necessary measures for their use. The working groups have developed concepts for operation, safety, maintenance, refuelling, and supply, which are tested and optimized in practical operations at the CTT test field.
Initial trials at the refuelling station have involved equipment from Hyster-Yale, VWG Oldenburg, and CMB.TECH’s hydrogen truck over recent weeks. This collaboration within CPL aids companies in decarbonizing their processes and making informed, climate-friendly investments through gathered data and practical experience.
“The opening is an important step for the Port of Hamburg. In future, it will enable the use of hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicles at the terminals and beyond. The potential for the Port of Hamburg and the logistics sector is significant. For example, trucks that regularly come to the Port of Hamburg can also benefit from such an infrastructure in the future. The test field helps us to gain important experience in this area. HHLA and its partners are thus continuing to drive forward the transformation and decarbonization of handling and transport processes,” commented Dr Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economy and Innovation.
The cluster and refuelling station received approximately US$3.2 million in funding from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part of a national hydrogen and fuel cell technology innovation program. The funding guidelines are coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Project Management Jülich (PTJ).
