Autonomous truck pioneer
A Middle East container terminal will be the first in the region to implement an autonomous port truck system.
CSP Abu Dhabi container terminal, the first greenfield project of COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited (CSP) operating within Abu Dhabi Ports’ flagship deep-water port Khalifa Port will utilise electric Qomolo Q-Trucks. Following a two-month trial period, six Q-Trucks will be commissioned by CSP and tasked with supporting vessel loading and unloading activities within the facility’s container yard.
Naser Al Busaeedi, deputy CEO at CSP Abu Dhabi, said: “We are proud to be the first terminal in the Middle East to implement an autonomous port truck system following the addition of six of Qomolo Q-trucks to our container handling fleet.
“As well as being extremely efficient and cost-effective, the new vehicles enable us to sustain our container handling operations for longer periods and enable us to continue operating in cases where business continuity becomes an operational challenge. We look forward to experiencing the full potential of these autonomous vehicles over the coming months.”
44-hour operating cycle
Expected to reduce operating costs and CO2 emissions, the L5 Autonomous Q-Trucks are powered by a 281kWh battery, carry a maximum load of 80t, and have an operating range of 200km. Capable of operating for up to 44 hours continuously, the vehicle’s electrical systems are further enhanced by a temperature control system that aids in extending battery life in extreme weather.
The trucks are equipped with an advanced 360-degree sensory system with traffic monitoring and driving guidance system which enables operators to direct vehicles’ navigation and transportation of general and reefer containers with ease.
In addition to the adoption of the autonomous port truck system, the project saw the adoption of a Fleet Management System (FMS) for overseeing daily activities utilising Q-Trucks.