The Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium has unveiled an autonomous electric shuttle at the Medrepair Terminal, aimed at improving intra-terminal container transport within the port.
This initiative, developed in collaboration with technology partners Akkodis, VDL, and Medrepair, is part of the PIONEERS project, which is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme.
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A live demonstration showcased the shuttle’s capabilities to stakeholders from the logistics and maritime sectors.
This demonstration focused on the shuttle’s integration within a functioning port terminal, providing operational insights that will guide future scaling and commercial implementation.
The autonomous shuttle underwent a successful technical validation earlier this year in Breda, the Netherlands.
The shuttle is designed to facilitate short-distance transfers between critical areas such as warehouses, stacks, and gates, thereby reducing dependence on traditional diesel vehicles and manual handling.
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By GlobalDataIt provides terminal operators and logistics firms with a modular and scalable solution that supports Logistics as a Service (LaaS) strategies. It can help reduce turnaround times, address labour constraints, and improve yard throughput.
The vehicle is equipped with advanced navigation software and high-resolution sensors, allowing it to autonomously navigate a set route while providing operational visibility through a central human-machine interface (HMI).
Port and Economy City of Antwerp vice mayor and Antwerp-Bruges Port board president Johan Klaps said: “The autonomous, electric container shuttle that is driving on an active terminal for the first time today shows perfectly how technology and sustainability can go hand in hand. We are therefore particularly proud to actively contribute to this.”
Constructed on the VDL 3-axle MTT platform, the shuttle features a 6×4 electric transmission and a dynamic axle system tailored for terminal operations. This system ensures reliable performance across various loads and terrains.
Key specifications of the shuttle include a maximum speed of 15km/h, an operational range of eight hours on a single battery charge, and a gross battery capacity of 144kWh.
The vehicle has an empty weight of 15,000kg and can carry a maximum payload of 48,000kg, bringing its total weight to 63,000kg.
The shuttle measures 2.55m in width, with a chassis height of 1.07m and a length of 12.56m, comparable to standard trucks.
Medrepair Europe director Daniel Tocantins said: “The productivity of a terminal depends on how smoothly goods can flow from one touchpoint to another.
“By automating this process with zero-emission vehicles, we’re introducing a solution that not only supports sustainability goals, but also delivers tangible gains in speed, reliability, and cost-efficiency.”
In December 2024, Damen Shipyards Group delivered six RSD Tugs 2513 to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, contributing to the port’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and supporting its fleet renewal efforts.
