At the core will be a test centre at HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort
Hamburger Haden und Logistik AG (HHLA), together with partners, has launched Clean Ports & Logistics (CPL) to test hydrogen-powered port logistics equipment.
Supported and sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital infrastructure, HHLA will manage the cluster with the aim to reduce emissions in port handling and the associated logistics chains.
Angela Titzrath, chairwoman of HHLA’s executive board, said: “Port handling and heavy goods logistics will make their contribution to climate protection and improving the quality of life in urban areas. The key element here is the decarbonisation of logistics.
“That can also be achieved with the help of hydrogen as the operating energy. This is why I am delighted to be launching a cluster alongside committed partners to test this promising new energy source. CPL will provide an additional boost to the transformation process.
The innovation cluster will support and accelerate both the achievement of market maturity and the integration of hydrogen-powered equipment into regular port operations.
CPL brings together equipment manufacturers as well as port and logistics companies with academic partners, producers of renewable hydrogen, software companies and operators and manufacturers of storage tank locations.
Johannes Daum, managing director for hydrogen, alternative fuels and batteries at coordinating company NOW GmbH, said: “NOW looks forward to accompanying the CPL innovation cluster as part of the e4ports network.
“Through our network activities, we are already aware of the urgent need for action at ports concerning the energy transition, but we also know the commitment port companies have for pursuing this goal. With CPL, we will bring the concrete application of hydrogen in port logistics to a new level.”
The parties will cooperate nationwide to conduct research and practical tests into how hydrogen can be used in a reliable way to supply power to port technology and port logistics.
This is to be achieved through the development of training concepts as well as carrying out simulations and investigations.
At the core of activities will be a test centre for hydrogen-powered equipment at the HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort in Hamburg.
The cluster will enable cooperation across sites and support many ports in efforts for more climate protection.
Michael Westhagemann, Hamburg minister for economic and labour affairs, said: “The port is a focus area of our hydrogen strategy, which also includes the application of hydrogen, particularly in intralogistics, as an important pillar.
“HHLA will gain valuable, cross-disciplinary experience from the project on how the fuel of the future can make a concrete contribution toward reaching Hamburg’s climate targets.”
As part of CPL, HHLA has already agreed the first memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the delivery of hydrogen-powered empty container handlers (ECHs) and terminal tractors with Hyster Yale Group Inc.
The units will be powered by Nuvera fuel cells, with the delivery of the terminal tractor planned for 2022 and the ECH in 2023.
