Teesside Airport to support study into autonomous freight operations

Teesside International Airport is set to play a central role in a new feasibility study exploring the use of autonomous freight vehicles, as part of the UK’s Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder programme.

The study, known as Project TACTIC (Teesside Autonomous Corridor for Trade Integration and Clearance), is being led by the International Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation (iC4DTI) in partnership with transport research organisation Cenex. The six-month project aims to develop a commercially viable business case for a driverless freight service operating between Teesport and Teesside Airport within the Teesside Freeport.

The initiative forms part of the Government-backed Feasibility Studies 2 competition, which supports projects seeking to demonstrate how CAM technologies can be deployed in near-commercial settings.

Teesside has been identified as a strong candidate for early deployment due to its large, secure operational sites, including Teesside International Airport, Teesworks and Wilton International. These locations provide controlled environments for initial off-highway trials, allowing key systems such as remote operations and vehicle management to be tested before any potential expansion onto public roads, including the A66 corridor.

A major focus of the project will be improving the efficiency of freight processes. Current customs and safety checks can lead to delays, but TACTIC will investigate how integrating real-time vehicle data—such as location, load status and security information—with digital documentation could streamline these procedures. The goal is to enable checks to be completed while vehicles are in transit, allowing them to arrive pre-cleared and reducing waiting times.

The study will also assess the wider commercial and operational viability of autonomous freight services. This includes evaluating whether vehicles could operate without onboard safety drivers, defining the roles required for safe operation, and identifying regulatory, technological and insurance considerations.

Cenex will contribute detailed economic analysis, examining cost structures, potential revenue streams and the broader benefits of improved freight reliability and efficiency.

The project is funded by the UK Government through the CAM Pathfinder programme, delivered by the Department for Business and Trade in collaboration with Innovate UK and Zenzic.

If successful, the initiative could demonstrate how advanced automation and digital trade systems can support more efficient logistics and contribute to wider economic growth.