Autonomous yard truck pilot launches

The two-year project will see six autonomous yard trucks deployed at the port for the first time, starting with the Kramer City Terminal later in 2023 and expanding to the Maasvlakte Container Exchange Route in 2024.

Andre Kramer, chief executive of Kramer Group, a major terminal operator in Rotterdam, said the company was always looking for new ways to serve its customers.

“Technologies that enable us to handle the 900,000 container movements we complete each year, in a safer and more efficient way, will help us strengthen our position as the handler of choice for customers moving containers through the Port of Rotterdam,” he said.

Using StreetDrone’s autonomous driving and remote operation, Kramer Group hopes the new technology will alleviate hazards at the port, helping the workforce shift cargo with better precision and safety.

“This project will demonstrate StreetDrone’s market-leading capability to deploy autonomous yard truck fleets across multiple locations for some of the most innovative companies in the global supply chain,” said Mike Potts, chief executive at StreetDrone.

Terberg is supplying the high-end vehicle platform for the autonomous solution whilst consultancy firm, Solid Port Solutions will support the management and delivery of the project.

“As a Netherlands-based company, we are excited to be the first to deploy autonomous yard trucks at our home port in Rotterdam,” said Rob van Hove, chief executive of Terberg Special Vehicles.

The pilots will run at both locations until early 2025.