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The Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has taken another step towards automated container handling at the Port of Hamburg. The first remote-controlled container bridges at the HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) are about to be put into operation. The full integration of the first three of these bridges into terminal operations is planned for February 2024. By 2030, all 14 container bridges at the CTA are to be replaced by highly automated models. The next three bridges are expected to be delivered in April 2026.
Progress and Outlook
Jeroen Eijsink, CEO of HHLA (left), and Hamburg’s Senator for Economic Affairs Dr. Melanie Leonhard (right) informed about the current status of the project during a visit to the CTA. Eijsink emphasized that the investment in the new bridges would strengthen the competitiveness of the facilities and create the foundation for efficient processes. He highlighted that the technical development is accompanied by comprehensive qualification measures to ensure that employees can successfully integrate the new technologies into operations.
Dr. Melanie Leonhard added that automation is a crucial prerequisite for securing the future of Germany’s largest port. She referred to the necessity of modernizing infrastructure and keeping processes up to date. Automation increases efficiency while simultaneously changing job profiles in the port. Therefore, continuous training and further education are essential to prepare employees for the changes in the working world.
The new container bridges, which were delivered to Hamburg by special ship in December 2024, reach a height of up to 120 m and have a boom length of around 146 m. They are capable of handling ships with up to 16,000 TEU. Automated processes for loading and unloading, as well as an OCR system for digital container capture, are intended to enable faster processes and seamless data integration. The operation of the bridges is fully remote, with the previous bridge operators being specifically retrained to take on their tasks as remote operators from the office building.
A central element of the project is the qualification of employees. As part of the DigiRemote2030 project, a simulator is used to ensure realistic training. Around 70 container bridge operators have already successfully completed this training. In addition to the remote operators, the guides, supervisors, and lashers at the container bridges are also being further qualified, as the processes change due to automation.
HHLA is also advancing automation at other locations. At the Container Terminal Burchardkai, the first large ships have already been handled using Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). By mid-2024, the transition to automated container transport at the waterside there is to be fully implemented.
