Autonomous driving is gaining ground in port terminals for internal trailer handling. In July 2025, terminal operator Hhla Estonia began trialling three autonomous terminal tractors in the port of Tallinn. The vehicles, developed by Fernride and certified by Tüv Süd, were approved for use by the Estonian Transport Administration Eta.
The tractors are already operating in the Estonian terminal under real-life conditions without drivers on board. The transition was carried out gradually, with dedicated training programmes and standardised procedures that allowed local staff to adapt to the new operating model. The collaboration between Hhla and Fernride, which began in January 2023, included a phased rollout plan designed to ensure operational continuity and safety throughout all stages of the project.
From a technical perspective, Fernride’s autonomous platform consists of vehicles, sensors, computing units and software integrated into a modular system that can operate independently while allowing remote human intervention if needed. This hybrid approach provides high operational reliability and meets the needs of logistics operators facing a shortage of drivers and growing pressure to reduce the environmental impact of the sector.
