EUROGATE and Embotech have launched a second pilot project for autonomous terminal tractors at the EUROGATE container terminal in Hamburg, moving from technical validation to real world operational testing.
The six month pilot, which began at the end of January, builds on earlier trials at EUROGATE Wilhelmshaven that confirmed the technical feasibility of Embotech’s Autonomous Tractor Solution. The Hamburg phase focuses on operational performance, with autonomous tractors transporting containers between the rail terminal and container yard via straddle carrier interchange zones.
Performance will be evaluated against key operational metrics including throughput, availability and process stability under day to day terminal conditions. The trial is designed to assess how autonomous vehicles perform within commercial terminal workflows.
A key enhancement in the Hamburg pilot is automated coupling technology supplied by AUCOS. The system enables tractors and trailers to connect air, power and data automatically through the kingpin, allowing fully automated coupling without manual intervention. Integrated with Embotech’s automation kit, the feature supports precise manoeuvring and trailer handling in rail and interchange areas.
The project also tests autonomous operations in mixed traffic environments where driverless tractors share lanes with conventional terminal vehicles and operate alongside straddle carriers. Embotech’s system continuously plans routes in real time to ensure safe and predictable movements.
Both partners say the pilot marks a critical step in assessing the operational value of terminal automation. By evaluating performance under live terminal conditions, the companies aim to determine the readiness of autonomous tractors for broader commercial deployment in container terminals.
