Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has opened the first test field for hydrogen-powered port logistics as well as the corresponding hydrogen refuelling station in the Port of Hamburg.
With the opening of the test field and the inauguration of the hydrogen refuelling station, the required infrastructure is reportedly ready to speed up the transition to emissions-free heavy goods logistics and port operations and to drive forward the decarbonisation of logistics.
Equipment such as straddle carriers, empty container stackers, forklift trucks, reach stackers, tractor units and trucks can be efficiently filled to 350 bar with green hydrogen.
The first trials have been conducted at the refuelling station with equipment from Hyster-Yale, VWG Oldenburg and CMB.TECH’s hydrogen truck over the past few weeks. Their collaboration in CPL helps the companies on the way to decarbonising their processes and making meaningful, climate-friendly investments as they compile the necessary information and practical experience.
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The cluster as well as the refuelling station received funding of approximately €3 million ($3.23 million) from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part of a national innovation programme for hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
The funding guidelines are coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Project Management Jülich (PTJ).
Angela Titzrath, CEO of HHLA, said: “We’re pleased to open the first test field for hydrogen-powered port logistics today.
“It enables us to test future technologies, gather valuable data and evaluate the results. In this way, we are shaping the sustainable future of logistics and continuing to invest in innovative technologies.
“We are sharing our findings with companies facing similar challenges in order to develop climate-friendly transport solutions together. Our objective is clear: We want to decarbonise the logistics sector and achieve our target of climate-neutral operations throughout the Group by 2040.”
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Dr Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, further stated: “With Clean Port & Logistics, a lighthouse project for the use of hydrogen in port logistics has been created at the Port of Hamburg.
“From forklift trucks to tractor units and trucks – the hydrogen infrastructure we are funding here is paving the way for climate-friendly logistics on site. I hope that the hydrogen test field will have a strong signalling effect thanks to the commitment of the port players. This is the only way we will succeed in making logistics in Germany climate-friendly.”
In May 2024, the Port of Hamburg became the first port in Europe to offer shore power for both containerships and cruise vessels.
