Clean Port & Logistics (CPL) and Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) have created a cluster to test H₂-powered port logistics equipment. The collaboration is to drive forward the decarbonization of handling and transport processes.

This will support and accelerate both the achievement of market maturity and the integration into regular port operations. To reduce emissions in port handling and the associated logistics chains, the innovation cluster has the support of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure – with HHLA in charge of managing the cluster.

CPL brings together equipment manufacturers as well as port and logistics companies with academic partners, producers of renewable H₂, software companies and operators and manufacturers of storage tank locations. The parties cooperate nationwide to conduct research and practical tests into how H₂ can be used in a reliable way to supply power to port technology and port logistics. The cluster carries out simulations and investigations and develops training concepts for this purpose. At the core of activities will be a test center for H₂-powered equipment at the HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort in Hamburg.

The cluster will be sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure as part of a national innovation program for H₂ and fuel cell technology. The funding guidelines will be coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Projektträger Jülich.

Angela Titzrath, Chairwoman of HHLA’s Executive Board said, “Port handling and heavy goods logistics will make their contribution to climate protection and improving the quality of life in urban areas. The key element here is the decarbonization of logistics. That can also be achieved with the help of hydrogen as the operating energy. This is why I am delighted to be launching a cluster alongside committed partners to test this promising new energy source. CPL will provide an additional boost to the transformation process."

The cluster will enable cooperation across sites and support many ports in their efforts for more climate protection. Michael Westhagemann, Hamburg Minister for Economic and Labour Affairs said, the importance of the cluster for Hamburg in an exemplary manner: “The port is a focus area of our hydrogen strategy, which also includes the application of hydrogen, particularly in intralogistics, as an important pillar. HHLA will gain valuable, cross-disciplinary experience from the project on how the fuel of the future can make a concrete contribution toward reaching Hamburg’s climate targets.”

Johannes Daum, Managing Director for hydrogen, alternative fuels and batteries at coordinating company NOW GmbH said, “NOW looks forward to accompanying the CPL innovation cluster as part of the e4ports network. Through our network activities, we are already aware of the urgent need for action at ports concerning the energy transition, but we also know the commitment port companies have for pursuing this goal. With CPL, we will bring the concrete application of hydrogen in port logistics to a new level.”

As part of CPL, HHLA has already agreed the first MoU for the delivery of H₂-powered empty container handlers and terminal tractors with Hyster Yale Group, Inc. The units will be powered by Nuvera fuel cells. The delivery of the terminal tractor is planned for the end of 2022, followed by the empty container handler in early 2023.