The container terminal of COSCO Shipping Ports, operating within Abu Dhabi Ports' Khalifa, has put in place six electric Q-Trucks for supporting yard operations.

The machinery produced by Qomolo, a sub-brand of ShangHai Westwell-Lab Technology Company, is equipped with a 360-degree sensory system with traffic monitoring and driving guidance system that enables operators to direct vehicles' navigation and transportation of standard and refrigerated containers.

The 80t of maximum load Q-Trucks run on a 281 kWh battery and have an operating range of 200 km/44 hours. The vehicle's electrical systems feature a temperature control system that aids in extending battery life in extreme weather.

The project also saw the adoption of a fleet management system for overseeing daily activities utilising Q-Trucks.

According to the parties, CSP Abu Dhabi is the first terminal in the Middle East to implement an autonomous port truck system.

"As well as being extremely efficient and cost-effective, the new vehicles enable us to sustain our container handling operations for longer periods and enable us to continue operating in cases where business continuity becomes an operational challenge. We look forward to experiencing the full potential of these autonomous vehicles over the coming months," Naser Al Busaeedi, Deputy CEO, CSP Abu Dhabi, commented.

Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster, Abu Dhabi Ports, added, "The addition of CSP Abu Dhabi's Q-Trucks has not only accelerated Khalifa Port's position as the Middle East's leading maritime facility but also serves as a prime example of how innovative technologies can transform the maritime and logistics industries. Employing solutions powered by ultra-modern technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet-of-Things, and electrification can enable businesses to achieve a higher level of efficiency, while simultaneously transforming their respective operations to be more sustainable and cost-efficient."

Photo: Abu Dhabi Ports