Research and Development

One of HHLA’s strategic objectives is to continuously improve the efficiency of its operating systems, and consequently its competitiveness, by developing application-oriented technologies. The main focus of these activities is therefore on engineering and IT-based innovation projects. Due to close collaboration with technical universities, institutes, industry partners and government authorities, joint projects can be planned, managed and developed by task forces.

In the 2015 financial year, HHLA mainly focused its resources and available capacity on continuing its research into battery-powered container vehicles for horizontal transport.

Battery-Powered Container Vehicles

Researching and developing eco-friendly drive systems is a key aspect of HHLA’s sustainable business model. In collaboration with Gottwald Port Technology, Vattenfall Europe Innovation and several research bodies, HHLA is pursuing its BESIC project (Battery Electric Heavy Goods Transports within an Intelligent Container Terminal) which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. It aims to use modern information and communication technology to improve the planning and management of charging cycles for battery-powered automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at CTA – particularly at times when there is a surplus of renewable power in the grid. The primary goal in the development of this battery management system and in testing innovative energy storage systems is to improve the level of flexibility for terminal operations and to increase the share of power provided by renewable energies.

Performance Certified

In order to document their performance, CTA and CTT once again received certification in accordance with the Container Terminal Quality Indicator (CTQI) in the reporting year. The standard, which was developed by the Global Institute of Logistics and Germanischer Lloyd, checks criteria such as the safety, performance level and efficiency of a terminal on both the water and onshore, as well as its links to pre- and onward-carriage systems. With their successful certification, the terminals once again confirmed their high levels of performance and compliance with all quality standards.