At the end of September 2025, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik began testing its first hydrogen-powered straddle carrier at the Container Terminal Tollerort in Hamburg. The vehicle, built by Konecranes, is being deployed in the terminal’s test area within the Clean Port & Logistics innovation group, which brings together more than forty international partners committed to developing solutions to decarbonise ports and logistics operations.
The new model is equipped with a fuel-cell propulsion system that produces no emissions during operation. Early trials show performance comparable to the hybrid version, with quick response times during handling manoeuvres. A key feature is the modular design of the energy system, which can be reconfigured with relative ease to operate in hybrid, battery, or hydrogen mode. Refuelling takes place directly at the hydrogen station within the terminal, following procedures similar to those for conventional fuels and generating operational synergies.
To support the introduction of the new technology, Hhla is developing targeted training modules to build long-term expertise and promote knowledge sharing across the sector. According to Hhla’s hydrogen project manager, Volker Windeck, the pilot demonstrates that hydrogen can be applied to heavy-duty cargo handling without any loss of efficiency compared with traditional systems.
The CPL cluster is responsible for testing the solutions developed by its working groups under real-world conditions, covering operations, safety, maintenance and refuelling. The activities are supported by around three million euros in funding from the Federal Ministry of Transport under the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology, managed by NOW and Project Management Jülich.
The trial forms part of Hhla’s “Balanced Logistics” sustainability strategy, which aims for group-wide climate neutrality by 2040. While electrification of equipment is already under way at several European terminals, hydrogen is seen as an additional lever to accelerate the decarbonisation of the port and logistics sector.
