VDL Automated Vehicles will supply as many as 77 automated guided vehicles to Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT) from the end of this year until mid-2023.
Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam is one of Europe's most advanced container terminal operators. In 2011, ECT already invested in automated guided vehicles (AGVs). VDL's previous deliveries to the container terminal operator at the time consisted of a total of 85 AGVs. Those vehicles have since transported more than 100,000 containers per AGV. The newly ordered AGVs will replace the older diesel-powered AGVs. The order involves tens of millions of euros.
Autonomous and hybrid-electric
The ECT Delta terminal on the Maasvlakte is the largest AGV terminal in the world. Here, the yet-to-be-developed vehicles will transport containers fully autonomously and hybrid-electric 24 hours a day between the quay and container storage.
Half less fuel
The new vehicles are low-noise and consume more than half as much fuel as the vehicles they will replace.
Knowledge and expertise
VDL Groep's automotive knowledge and expertise in safety, design, electrification, connectivity, autonomous and mobility as a service will also be applied to the new AGVs.
Modular construction
The vehicles are modular. This makes it possible to exchange techniques between all VDL vehicles so that innovations can be integrated. Think, for example, of a fully electric driveline.
Navigation system
The new AGVs also incorporate innovation. One example is the integration of VDL's state-of-the-art navigation system. This system is based on a similar system used by major car manufacturers. This navigation platform ensures more efficient container handling. The AGVs can communicate with each other. More containers can be transported per AGV - by driving closer together and shorter waiting times between trips.
Analogy with regular road transport
Another advantage is that the vehicles are designed analogous to a regular road vehicle. This is different from other container handling vehicles. The analogy with regular road transport also allows the further development of the AGVs to follow market developments in the automotive sector.
Electrification of heavy transport
President Willem van der Leegte of VDL Groep: "The past few days have proven once again that Dutch companies are specialists on and around water. We are extremely proud that ECT and VDL have found each other again and that employees of both companies will take this form of high-quality transport another step further. VDL is European leader in the electrification of heavy transport and trendsetter in automated vehicles. These AGVs are an excellent fit to confirm and build on this position."
Modernising container handling
Leo Ruijs, CEO Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam: "We continue to invest continuously in our terminals and therefore also in our equipment. Together with VDL, we are working to further modernise our AGV fleet for efficient container handling. The modular construction also supports our aim to operate in an increasingly sustainable way by applying new techniques."
Photo: Some of the current AGVs in action at the ECT Delta terminal (Photo: ECT)
