Foto: HHLA/Thies Raetzke
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) put the first electrically powered trucks into operation at its own freight forwarder Container-Transport-Dienst GmbH (CTD) in June. The environmentally friendly trucks are part of HHLA’s sustainability strategy to further advance the decarbonisation of logistics chains and offer its customers additional environmentally friendly transport solutions.
The new e-trucks will initially be used by CTD for container transfers in the Port of Hamburg and will undergo extensive testing. As part of these tests, data will be collected that will provide HHLA with important insights for possible purchases of further e-trucks. In particular, this involves the efficient use of the trucks in the port of Hamburg and the execution of the charging cycles.
The Volvo FH Electric Trucks, winner of the eMove360° Award in 2023, are characterised in particular by their high quality and reliability as commercial vehicles in logistics transport. The truck also impresses with its long range: when fully loaded, the trucks can cover 260 to 340 kilometres. The trucks have a 540 kWh battery storage system and a maximum charging capacity of 250 kWh. The trucks are initially supplied with electricity using the publicly available charging infrastructure.
Angela Titzrath, CEO of HHLA: ‘Environmentally friendly, resource-conserving processes and logistics services are an important pillar of our corporate strategy – and have been for years. To this end, we have set ourselves the ambitious goal of achieving climate-neutral production across the Group by 2040. On this path, we are focussing on innovative technologies to further reduce CO2 emissions for the benefit of our customers. The introduction of the new e-trucks is another decisive step for HHLA on the road to a more climate-friendly future.’
Ralph Frankenstein, Managing Director of CTD: ‘We are looking forward to extensively testing the two e-trucks and thus being able to offer our customers environmentally friendly transport. In the year of our 50th anniversary, we are making another important contribution to sustainable logistics.’
HHLA has been focusing on the comprehensive decarbonisation of its facilities and equipment for many years. Electrically powered container cranes, automated guided vehicles and tractor units are already in use at its terminals in Europe. HHLA is also working with partner companies in the Clean Port & Logistics Cluster to investigate the use of hydrogen-powered equipment and compare it with battery-powered electric equipment.
HHLA’s rail subsidiary Metrans has also been using and testing e-trucks for container transport for two years. In addition to the energy-efficient electric and hybrid locomotives and electric container cranes, the e-trucks have been part of Metrans’ environmentally friendly fleet since 2022. Metrans is pursuing the goal of offering its customers completely climate-friendly transport from a single source. The combination of environmentally friendly rail and road transport creates significant added value here.
You can also read this article in the current issue of eMove360° magazine in german language. Download the PDF free of charge or order the print version in the eMove360° shop.
