To test hydrogen-powered equipment in port logistics, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), a logistics and transport corporation, established the Clean Port & Logistics (CPL) innovation center. The goal of the innovation cluster is to provide solutions that will quickly advance terminal equipment and heavy-duty vehicles fueled by hydrogen on the market.
The innovation cluster will prepare the actions required for practical usage in addition to pure development. The statement states that the concepts created for operation, safety, repair, maintenance, refueling, and supply would be put to the test and optimized in actual operation for this reason. The cluster is developing concepts for education and training in addition to performing experiments and theoretical research for this purpose.
The cluster’s stated goal is to look into the viability of using hydrogen to supply port logistics and technology. The goal of the collaboration at CPL is to provide businesses with the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to decarbonize their operations and make wise investments that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In theory, participation is accessible to any interested enterprises; businesses can still join the cluster after it has already kicked off.
A test center at Hamburg’s HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort, which is now making news owing to the anticipated entry of the Chinese Cosco Group, serves as the focal point of the CPL innovation cluster. The test center will allow for operational testing of hydrogen-powered port handling and heavy goods traffic equipment, as well as networking opportunities for all parties concerned. The initial delivery of equipment is anticipated to occur in 2023. Straddle carriers, empty container stackers, forklifts, reach stackers, terminal tractors, and trucks are the proposed equipment classes for the test environment. Other equipment types and systems can also be tested in terminal operations on the test field.
Companies from a wide range of industries involved in port management and heavy freight transport are among the members. In addition to the car, port handling, and filling station manufacturers, the cluster also includes hydrogen and other fossil-free drive energy suppliers, those in charge of the logistics infrastructure (such as port authorities), consulting, certification, and other service providers, as well as scientific partners from Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Estonia, and the USA.
According to Angela Titzrath, chair of the HHLA Executive Board, “I am thrilled that partners from various industries, colleges, cities, and ports are working together in the Clean Port & Logistics innovation cluster.” We all have the chance to hasten the transition to emissions-free heavy goods logistics and port operations by combining our skills across industries, nations, and continents.
As part of the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Innovation Programme, the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport provides funding for the cluster. NOW GmbH coordinates the financial direction, while Project Management Jülich is in charge of putting it into action (PtJ).
