Port of Felixstowe Doubles Autonomous Truck Fleet with New Order from Westwell

Hutchison Ports’ Port of Felixstowe has announced the purchase of an additional 34 autonomous trucks from Shanghai Westwell Technology Co Ltd, effectively doubling its existing fleet.

Earlier this year, the port introduced its first set of 34 autonomous trucks (ATs) at the Trinity Terminal. These vehicles operated alongside conventional trucks, marking the first successful integration of ATs in mixed-traffic conditions anywhere in Europe.

Clemence Cheng, Executive Director of Hutchison Ports and CEO of the Port of Felixstowe, stated:“We are proud to be at the forefront of autonomous port operations. Expanding our AT fleet will further strengthen efficiency and resilience across our services. The new trucks will be equipped with upgraded sensors, allowing us to deliver even better performance for our customers.”

He added that the expansion has been enabled by the deployment of a private 5G network at the port. “This technology not only improves reliability and efficiency but, with the increased use of battery-powered ATs, also supports our goal of achieving Net-Zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035.”

Kenny Tan, Founder and Chairman of Westwell, commented:“We are delighted to reach this next milestone with the delivery of a second batch of 34 ATs, along with the launch of a battery-swapping station. The move toward full automation at the port demonstrates the progress we’ve made in advancing smart port operations.

“Our strong collaboration with the Port of Felixstowe has been essential in making this pioneering project a success. With ongoing improvements to the port’s digital infrastructure, Westwell’s autonomous trucks and intelligent energy systems will continue to drive efficiency and accelerate the port’s journey toward its Net-Zero ambitions. Together, we are redefining the future of smart logistics.”