Belfast Harbour to try out autonomous technology

The five-month feasibility study, beginning in November, focuses on retrofitting existing Terminal Tractors (TTs) with autonomous software and hardware. This project, the first of its kind in the UK and Ireland, aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and achieve up to 30% fuel efficiency gains.

The project is part of Belfast Harbour’s commitment to building a sustainable future and further enhances our ESG credentials by partnering with key tenants to help them address Scope 3 emissions. The study aims to reduce the amount of time TTs are idle, increase throughput of containers and investigate the potential for higher skilled jobs.

… said Laura O’Neill, Digital Transformation Manager at Belfast Harbour 

The initiative also aims to explore the scalability and affordability of autonomous solutions tailored to smaller ports. If successful, it could position UK companies as leaders in global port technology. 

Our goal is to develop and demonstrate a regulatory-compliant autonomous TT solution that can be seamlessly replicated across regional ports in the UK and beyond.

… commented Sadaf Ghani, Chief Marketing Communication Officer at Aidrivers Ltd 

This trial not only seeks to optimize port operations but also aims to demonstrate the wider applicability of autonomous technology in enhancing environmental and economic outcomes for regional and global ports.

This feasibility study marks a critical step in implementing autonomous TT solutions in UK regional ports, leveraging local expertise and technology to deliver environmental benefits, cost savings, operational efficiencies, and support for resilient supply chains essential for national and global trade.

… noted Alec Colvin, spokesperson from Belfast Container Terminal Ltd