Hutchison Ports’ ICAVE terminal, located within the Port of Veracruz, Mexico, has become the latest facility in the company to adopt mixed-mode operation involving automated horizontal transport.

The development allows automated terminal tractors, or automated trucks (ATs) as Hutchison calls them, and manned terminal tractors to work simultaneously in the same quayside area.

In October 2023, the terminal acquired six battery-powered autonomous Q-Trucks, developed by Shanghai Westwell Technology Co., Ltd (Westwell). Hutchsison Ports said this marked a “milestone” for ICAVE. “The eco-friendly vehicles are equipped with cutting-edge technology using advanced sensors, HD cameras and artificial intelligence algorithms. ATs are designed to increase operational efficiency, improve port safety and significantly reduce emissions. In addition, ICAVE added three automated Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes to its fleet of equipment,” the company said.

Combining automated or autonomous tractors with manned internal vehicles, and/or road trucks, in an RTG yard presents a number of operational and safety challenges, but Hutchison said ICAVE is ready. “To ensure all staff are trained to work with the new equipment safely and securely, Hutchison Ports ICAVE has implemented a comprehensive education programme that includes internal safety training, security protocols and technology maintenance.

“Externally, an extensive communication campaign and training programme has been conducted with more than seven hundred transport operators have participated. The programme will help inform and prepare staff and terminal users to ‘true’ mixed mode operations at ICAVE, ensuring a smooth and safe transition towards this new era of autonomous operation,” Hutchison Ports said.

ICAVE’s adoption of mixed-mode operations follows a similar development at the Port of Felixstowe, also part of the Hutchison Ports’ network. At Felixstowe the implementation of ATs began in April 2024 and is being rolled out in four phases. The technology, initially introduced at Laem Chabang Port’s D Terminal in Thailand in 2020, is also being introduced in the UAE. Notably, in 2021, CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal, operated by CSP Ports, integrated six Westwell Q-Truck autonomous vehicles into its operations.

Westwell and Hutchison Ports are planning to build the largest electric autonomous commercial vehicle fleet to date. The two companies launched their cooperation in 2018.

As electric vehicles the Q-Trucks will make an important contribution to Hutchison Port’s Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for GHG emissions reduction targets and 2050 net-zero target.

Hutchison Ports’ ICAVE terminal, located within the Port of Veracruz, Mexico, has become the latest facility in the company to adopt mixed-mode operation involving automated horizontal transport.

The development allows automated terminal tractors, or automated trucks (ATs) as Hutchison calls them, and manned terminal tractors to work simultaneously in the same quayside area.

In October 2023, the terminal acquired six battery-powered autonomous Q-Trucks, developed by Shanghai Westwell Technology Co., Ltd (Westwell). Hutchsison Ports said this marked a “milestone” for ICAVE. “The eco-friendly vehicles are equipped with cutting-edge technology using advanced sensors, HD cameras and artificial intelligence algorithms. ATs are designed to increase operational efficiency, improve port safety and significantly reduce emissions. In addition, ICAVE added three automated Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes to its fleet of equipment,” the company said.

Combining automated or autonomous tractors with manned internal vehicles, and/or road trucks, in an RTG yard presents a number of operational and safety challenges, but Hutchison said ICAVE is ready. “To ensure all staff are trained to work with the new equipment safely and securely, Hutchison Ports ICAVE has implemented a comprehensive education programme that includes internal safety training, security protocols and technology maintenance.

“Externally, an extensive communication campaign and training programme has been conducted with more than seven hundred transport operators have participated. The programme will help inform and prepare staff and terminal users to ‘true’ mixed mode operations at ICAVE, ensuring a smooth and safe transition towards this new era of autonomous operation,” Hutchison Ports said.

ICAVE’s adoption of mixed-mode operations follows a similar development at the Port of Felixstowe, also part of the Hutchison Ports’ network. At Felixstowe the implementation of ATs began in April 2024 and is being rolled out in four phases. The technology, initially introduced at Laem Chabang Port’s D Terminal in Thailand in 2020, is also being introduced in the UAE. Notably, in 2021, CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal, operated by CSP Ports, integrated six Westwell Q-Truck autonomous vehicles into its operations.

Westwell and Hutchison Ports are planning to build the largest electric autonomous commercial vehicle fleet to date. The two companies launched their cooperation in 2018.

As electric vehicles the Q-Trucks will make an important contribution to Hutchison Port’s Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for GHG emissions reduction targets and 2050 net-zero target.