The Port of Felixstowe is set to further expand its autonomous vehicle operations after confirming a new order for an additional batch of autonomous trucks from Shanghai Westwell Technology Co. Ltd. (Westwell). The investment will increase the port’s fleet to 100 autonomous trucks, reinforcing its position as Europe’s leading port for the large-scale deployment of autonomous vehicles in a live terminal environment.
The latest order follows the successful integration of autonomous trucks into the port’s mixed-traffic container terminal operations, marking the first implementation of this type in Europe. The expansion represents the next stage in the port’s ongoing programme to introduce advanced technologies that enhance operational efficiency, safety and environmental performance.
“This further investment marks another important step in the Port of Felixstowe’s journey towards smarter, safer and more sustainable port operations.
Expanding our autonomous truck fleet to 100 vehicles demonstrates our confidence in the technology and in the benefits it is already bringing to our customers, colleagues and operations. Felixstowe has led the way in deploying autonomous trucks safely at scale in a live port environment, and this latest order reinforces our commitment to innovation, operational resilience and our target of achieving Net-Zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035.”
– Clemence Cheng, Executive Director of Hutchison Ports and Port of Felixstowe CEO.
The additional vehicles will feature upgraded sensor and perception technology, including 128-line LiDAR and advanced camera systems designed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the surrounding environment. These enhancements will support the safe, reliable and accurate operation of the vehicles within the port’s busy mixed-traffic terminal. The technology forms part of the next phase of development for the autonomous truck programme, building on capabilities highlighted during the previous vehicle order.
Alongside the new vehicles, the investment includes a second automated battery swapping station. The existing facility allows autonomous trucks to replace depleted batteries with fully charged units in around five to six minutes, helping to maintain high fleet availability while reducing operational downtime.
The expanded fleet will continue to operate using the port’s private 5G network, one of the UK’s largest industrial private 5G installations. The network provides secure, high-speed communications between autonomous vehicles, terminal infrastructure and control systems, enabling real-time connectivity to support safe and efficient operations across both autonomous and conventional equipment.
“We are proud to support Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe as it continues to deploy autonomous truck technology at scale. This latest order marks another important milestone in our partnership and reflects the confidence Felixstowe has placed in Westwell’s technology, products and operational support.
With 100 autonomous trucks in operation, the Port of Felixstowe is Europe’s leading port for the deployment of autonomous vehicles at scale in live terminal operations. We look forward to continuing our work together to support safer, smarter and more sustainable port operations.”
– Kenny Tan, Founder and Chairman of Westwell.
The autonomous trucks are fully electric and will contribute towards the port’s wider sustainability objectives. Since April 2023, the Port of Felixstowe has sourced electricity certified as being from renewable sources, and the expanded autonomous fleet will play a role in supporting its ambition to achieve Net-Zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035.
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