HHLA has established a Clean Port and Logistics (CPL) innovation cluster to test hydrogen power equipment in port logistics. The innovation cluster aims to develop solutions to enable hydrogen powered heavy vehicles and end devices to reach market maturity in a short time.
In addition to pure development, innovation clusters will also prepare necessary measures for practical use. According to the bulletin, the concepts developed for operation, safety, repair, maintenance, refueling and supply will be tested and optimized in actual operation for this purpose. To this end, in addition to theoretical research, the team also conducted tests and developed training and education concepts.
The declared objective of the cluster is to study how hydrogen can be reliably used to supply port technology and logistics. The cooperation in CPL aims to help enterprises achieve process decarbonization and make reasonable climate friendly investment by collecting necessary information and practical experience. In principle, all interested companies can participate -- even if they have started now, companies can still join the cluster.
The core of the CPL innovation cluster is the test center located in Tollerort, HHLA container terminal in Hamburg -- the terminal has made headlines because COSCO plans to enter. In the test center, hydrogen powered equipment for port handling and heavy cargo transportation will be tested in operation, and all relevant participants will be able to contact each other there. The first batch of equipment is scheduled to be delivered in early 2023. The equipment categories planned for the test environment are hurdle cars, empty container stackers, forward moving stackers, dock tractors, and forklifts. In addition, the proving ground can be used to test other equipment categories and systems in terminal operation.
Members include companies from a wide range of fields related to port handling and heavy cargo transport. In addition to the manufacturers of vehicles, port handling equipment and gas stations, the cluster also includes suppliers of hydrogen and other non fossil driven energy, companies responsible for logistics infrastructure (such as port authorities), consulting, certification and other service companies, and scientific partners - from Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Estonia and the United States.
Angela Titsrat, Chairman of HHLA Executive Committee, said: "I am very pleased that partners from different departments, universities, cities and ports are working together in the clean port and logistics innovation cluster. By bringing together expertise from various departments, countries and the mainland, we have the opportunity to accelerate the transition to zero emission heavy logistics and port operations."
The cluster is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport as part of the national hydrogen and fuel cell technology innovation plan. The funding directive is coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by J ü lich Project Management Company (PtJ).
