The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, together with technology partners Akkodis, VDL, and Medrepair, have presented a live demonstration of an autonomous, fully electric shuttle.
The shuttle reportedly enhances operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability in port environments.
The demonstration, held at the Medrepair terminal as part of the PIONEERS project funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, offered stakeholders from across the logistics and maritime industries a first-hand look at a deployable innovation built for the demands of modern port operations.
Developed to address the increasing complexity of internal container movements, the shuttle system automates short-distance transfers between key operational areas, such as warehouses, stacks, and gates, reducing the need for traditional diesel-powered vehicles and manual handling.
Equipped with intelligent navigation software and high-resolution sensors, the platform autonomously follows a predefined route while ensuring full operational visibility through a central Human-Machine Interface (HMI).
Based on the VDL 3-axle MTT platform, the vehicle includes a 6×4 electric transmission and a dynamic axle system optimised for terminal conditions, ensuring consistent performance under varying loads and terrain.
READ: Port of Antwerp-Bruges suffers throughput drop in Q1
This marks the second successful test of the system, following a technical validation earlier this year in Breda, the Netherlands. The live trial focused on real-world integration within a busy port terminal, generating operational insights that will inform future scaling and commercial deployment.
