The company managing the Port of Hamburg, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik, is experimenting with the use of electric road tractors for internal container transfers. These Volvo FH Electric trucks are being used by the affiliated transport company Container Transport Dienst, which is gathering operational and economic data. Hhla will use this data to decide whether to acquire more electric vehicles in the future to meet its decarbonization goals.
These trucks are powered by batteries, which are currently charged at public facilities. They offer a range of between 260 and 300 kilometers, depending on usage patterns, thanks to a 540 kW battery pack. As part of the Clean Port & Logistics program, Hhla is also evaluating the use of hydrogen electric trucks to compare them with battery-powered ones.
Container Transport Dienst focuses on container transport within the Port of Hamburg but also handles long-distance transport by road, inland waterways, and rail. Additionally, Hhla's rail subsidiary, Metrans, has been conducting trials with electric industrial vehicles. This has been ongoing since 2022 as part of a program that also includes hybrid locomotives and electric gantry cranes.
