The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), alongside the Port of Tyne, Oxa and a consortium of industry and academic partners, has completed the P-CAL (Port-Connected and Automated Logistics) project.
Delivered under the UK Government CAM Pathfinder programme, the initiative progressed autonomous terminal operations from controlled trials into active quayside conditions, with a self-driving terminal tractor operating alongside live port traffic.
The project builds on earlier connected and automated mobility (CAM) work in the North East, including 5G CAL and V-CAL initiatives.
The system integrated autonomous vehicle operations with terminal systems, live crane coordination, secure communications infrastructure and cybersecurity protocols designed for critical port environments.
Trials were conducted within a defined Operational Design Domain reflecting real-world port constraints, including traffic density and human interaction.
Paul Butler, Chief Executive Officer of NEAA, said: “P-CAL represents a defining moment in the North East’s journey from pilot projects to real-world autonomous operations. This project has demonstrated not only technical capability, but the strength of collaboration across industry, academia and government.
“The learning gained here will shape future CAM deployment and reinforces the region’s position as a national leader in connected and automated mobility.”
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Graeme Hardie, Operations Director at the Port of Tyne, added: “Delivering autonomous logistics in a live port environment has been a major step forward for the sector. P-CAL has shown what’s possible when innovation is applied to real operational challenges, improving safety, efficiency and sustainability.
“The Port of Tyne is proud to have played a leading role in a project that will influence how ports across the UK and beyond approach automation.”
The consortium included Oxa, Nissan, Newcastle University, ANGOKA, LOGISTEED UK Limited and Womble Bond Dickinson, combining expertise across autonomy, logistics, cybersecurity and regulatory compliance.
Cyber resilience was embedded into system design to ensure safe operation within critical infrastructure environments.
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The project demonstrated autonomous container movement in controlled port conditions and is expected to inform future deployment across UK ports and logistics hubs.
It also highlighted the role of automation in augmenting port labour by reducing exposure to repetitive and higher-risk tasks.
This latest milestone builds on wider innovation activity at the Port of Tyne, which has also trialled autonomous electric yard robots to test how connected, data-driven machinery can optimise container yard operations and further enhance efficiency, safety and emissions performance.
For more information:
Port of Tyne – https://www.portoftyne.co.uk/
