Autonomous transport service tender

The Port of Rotterdam Authority published the RFT for the provision of a new transport service that enables container terminal operators at Maasvlakte to exchange containers via a 17km dedicated road, commonly known as the Container Exchange Route (CER).

The European tender announcement concerns both the supply of hybrid transport vehicles and the actual transport of the containers (Transport As A Service). In this hybrid format, the vehicle can run both completely autonomously and operated by a human driver.

Autonomous option

Vehicles will operate autonomously between the different connected terminals on Maasvlakte. From the moment a vehicle leaves the CER proper and enters the terminal site, it can either continue its route steered by a human driver or on an autonomous basis, as decided by individual operators.

The CER enables rail operators, inland shipping companies and feeder operators to optimise their terminal calls. The hybrid autonomous transport offers operators freedom of choice when it comes to timing on how containers are transported on their terminal. The system is anticipated to be both quicker and less expensive than existing arrangements, while significantly reducing congestion in the areas around the terminals.

PortShuttle

The port authority intends to appoint its subsidiary PortShuttle as operator of the CER. In effect, this means that PortShuttle will be responsible for planning transport runs, administration and invoicing.

The port authority intends to select a winning bid from the tenders received in the first quarter of 2021. Construction on the CER is due to be finished in the first quarter of 2021. After a period of testing, commercial operations are expected to start at the end of the fourth quarter of 2021.