CSP Abu Dhabi container terminal, Cosco Shippping Ports (CSP) Limited's first greenfield project operating inside Abu Dhabi Ports' flagship deep-water port Khalifa Port, has stated that it would be the first in the Middle East to adopt an autonomous port truck system.

Followed by a two-month trial period, CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal would activate six electric Q-Trucks to assist mother vessel loading and unloading activities within the facility's container yard. The new trucks, despite being extremely efficient and cost-effective, allow us to maintain our container handling operations for extended periods and to continue working in situations when business continuity becomes an operational problem. We are thrilled to see the full potential of these self-driving cars in the following months.” The electric Q-Trucks feature a very stable, efficient, and ecologically friendly platform, are powered by a 281 kWh battery, can carry a maximum load of 80 tonnes, and have a 200km operational range. The vehicle's electrical systems are further strengthened with a temperature management system that assists in increasing battery life in extreme conditions, allowing it to operate continuously for up to 44 hours.

The new Q-Vehicles are intended to have lower transformation and operating costs, lower CO2 emissions as compared to regular trucks, and act as a potential business continuity option in the event of a personnel shortage.

“The addition of CSP Abu Dhabi's Q-Trucks has not only ramped up Khalifa Port's position as the Middle East's pioneering maritime facility but also represents as a prime example of how innovative technologies could reshape the maritime and logistics industries,” said Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports.

“Using solutions propelled by cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and electrification may help organizations reach better levels of efficiency while also changing their processes to become more sustainable and cost-efficient.” The project included the implementation of a Fleet Management System to supervise everyday activities involving Q-Trucks. The platform, which is incorporated as part of the operational control tower, enables real-time surveillance and workflow management procedures while concurrently linking to numerous systems inside the terminal, allowing the whole terminal to operate.

Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi Terminals declared a cooperation deal with Microsoft in the presence of Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE Ministry of Artificial Intelligence (AI), launching the next chapter in the digital transformation of Abu Dhabi's main marine asset, Khalifa Port.

The historic collaboration will allow better container tracking and autonomous shuttle capacities across Abu Dhabi Terminal's Khalifa Port terminal with the implementation of Azure's Artificial Intelligence Services, Microsoft’s Cloud.

The management firm and operator of Khalifa Port Container Terminal (KPCT), the region's first and one of the world's biggest semi-automated deep-water container terminals is Abu Dhabi Terminals.   KPCT is among the most technically advanced facilities of its type.

The technology, which had been developed in collaboration with Microsoft Consulting Services, will drive the introduction of AI-based container smart tracking solutions that will provide 100% traceability of all handled containers and the possibility of launching an autonomous vehicle system.

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“This partnership ushers in a new age for autonomous cars in a terminal setting, and I'm delighted to see Microsoft's cloud, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things technologies adding to its achievement,” said Ralph Haupter, President of Microsoft EMEA.

“The assistance of the UAE Ministry of AI and our collaborations with world-leading technology suppliers such as Microsoft Corporation not only future proofs our nation's maritime resources and infrastructure, but also enables Abu Dhabi Terminals and our shareholders at Abu Dhabi Ports to harvest immense long-term benefits,” said Ahmed Al Mutawa, CEO of Abu Dhabi Terminals.

“AI and Automation Technology just aren't widely used in the port industry, but we strongly believe in their capability and are reassured that our approach would not only benefit Abu Dhabi Terminals and the UAE, but it will eventually expand to the complete shipping industry,” said Arturo Garcia, Chief Automation Officer, Abu Dhabi Terminals.