ABU DHABI: 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, has announced that it will be the first in the Middle East to implement an autonomous port truck system.
Following a two-month trial period, CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal will activate a total of six electric Q-Trucks to support mother vessel loading and unloading activities within the facility’s container yard.
The L5 Autonomous Freight Trucks are manufactured by Qomolo, a sub-brand of ShangHai Westwell-Lab Technology Company, and feature an advanced 360-degree sensory system with traffic monitoring and driving guidance system that allows operators to easily direct vehicle navigation and transportation of general and reefer containers.
Following the addition of six Qomolo Q-trucks to our container handling fleet, Naser Al Busaeedi, Deputy CEO of CSP Abu Dhabi, stated that they are delighted to be the first terminal in the Middle East to implement an autonomous port truck system. The new vehicles are not only incredibly efficient and cost-effective, but it also allows them to sustain container handling operations for extended periods of time and continue functioning even if business continuity becomes an issue. He also stated that they are excited to see the full potential of these self-driving vehicles in the coming months.
The electric Q-Trucks are powered by a 281 kWh battery and have a 200km operating range. They can carry a maximum load of 80 tonnes and have a highly stable, efficient, and environmentally friendly platform. The vehicle’s electrical systems are further enhanced by a temperature control system that aids in extending battery life in extreme weather. The vehicle’s electrical systems are capable of operating for up to 44 hours continuously.
When compared to traditional vehicles, the new Q-Trucks are intended to bring lower transformation and operating costs, as well as a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions and serve as a credible business continuity solution in the event of a labor shortage.
According to Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports, the addition of CSP Abu Dhabi’s Q-Trucks has not only accelerated Khalifa Port’s position as the Middle East’s leading maritime facility, but also serves as a prime example of how innovative technologies can transform the maritime and logistics industries. He also said that businesses may attain better levels of efficiency while simultaneously altering their operations to be more sustainable and cost-effective by using solutions powered by cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence, the Internet-of-Things, and electrification.
The project included the implementation of a Fleet Management System to manage everyday activities involving Q-Trucks. The platform, which is integrated into the operational control tower, provides real-time monitoring and workflow management procedures while concurrently linking to different systems within the terminal, allowing the entire terminal to run.
