The European port and transport logistics company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has ordered 11 Konecraes’ gottwald automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for its Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) in Hamburg.
The order, which is part of a frame agreement between the two companies, was booked in September 2021, with the delivery anticipated in early 2023. When the new equipment arrives at the German terminal, the total number of lithium-ion (Li-ion) AGVs on-site will be 95.
This is the sixth AGVs order that the Finnish port equipment manufacturer receives in 5 years for CTA, the world’s first container facility to be certified climate-neutral.
The new AGVs will replace old diesel-electric machines, as part of the terminal’s long-term project, which includes the upgrade on the vehicles’ fleet.
“This AGV renewal program is a big part of how we are taking responsibility to protect the environment,” commented Thomas Förster, head of Terminal Technology in CTA, who added that the transition to purely electric drive technology gives CTA the opportunity to charge the AGV batteries with electricity from renewable energy sources.
The 11 Konecranes Gottwald AGVs on order are software-controlled container transporters that move between the quay cranes and container storage yard, disposing of an optimised design with low vehicle weight, while providing high load capacities, according to a statement.
In addition, when power storage is low, the machines replenish their batteries by driving into any one of the 18 automated charging system (ACS) stations located around the terminal for fast charging.
“Their Li-ion batteries provide cost-effectiveness combined with low environmental impact,” noted a Konecranes representative in a statement.
