HHLA creates hydrogen-powered port technology cluster

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has created a cluster to test hydrogen-powered equipment in port logistics and support the decarbonisation of handing and transport processes.

The Clean Port & Logistics (CPL) cluster brings together equipment manufacturers and logistics companies to cooperate nationwide and conduct research and practical tests into how hydrogen can be used in a reliable way to supply power to port technology and port logistics.

“Port handling and heavy goods logistics will make their contribution to climate protection and improving the quality of life in urban areas,” said Angela Titzrath, Chairwoman of HHLA’s Executive Board.

“The key element here is the decarbonisation of logistics. That can also be achieved with the help of hydrogen as the operating energy.”

CPL will carry out simulations, develop training concepts establish a test centre for hydrogen-powered equipment at the HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort in Hamburg.

Michael Westhagemann, Hamburg Minister for Economic and Labour Affairs, emphasised the importance of the cluster for Hamburg: “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.”


Test centre at Container Terminal Tollerort, Hamburg
© HHLA
As part of CPL, HHLA has already secured the delivery of hydrogen-powered empty container handlers and terminal tractors. Delivery is planned for the end of 2022, followed by the empty container handler in early 2023.

The cluster has received endorsement from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. Funding guidelines will be coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Projektträger Jülich (PTJ).

Last February, HHLA published its preliminary financial results for 2021, boasting revenues of €1.465 billion ($1.666 billion).

This shows a 12.7 per cent increase on the company’s figures for 2020 which saw revenues reach €1.300 billion ($1.478 billion).

https://www.porttechnology.org/news/hhla-creates-hydrogen-powered-port-technology-cluster/