Start-ups and Innovation

Our innovation unit and its start-ups develop pioneering solutions that are shaping the future of logistics. With their expertise in automation, the development of state-of-the-art drone and control centre technology, or the development of new business areas through venture building, they are driving the digitalisation of the industry.

HHLA Next is our innovation and venture building unit. Its focus is on digitalisation and sustainability in maritime logistics. At HHLA Next, ideas are turned into successful products and business models, either in the form of in-house developments, in cooperation with partners or through capital expenditure in innovative companies.

To this end, market trends and new technologies are continuously monitored worldwide and assigned to various segments, strategic fields of innovation and specific use cases in a database. This enables HHLA to approach companies or develop its own products in good time. As an umbrella organisation, HHLA Next also provides the necessary framework, structures and processes for spin-offs and investments. It offers existing portfolio companies support, for example with market research or strategic decisions.

To the HHLA Next website

heyport is an innovative software solution that makes the communication and coordination of ship calls more efficient. It connects all parties involved in the port call, including shipping companies, terminals and port authorities, and thus promotes seamless collaboration. Centralised communication channels provide all parties with identical planning information, significantly reducing misunderstandings and information loss. This not only optimises scheduling, but also increases overall productivity in port operations. heyport makes the entire process more transparent and efficient, which ultimately helps to improve port logistics.

To the heyport website

passify is an innovative app that uses multi-factor authentication to make access to terminals and depots easier and more secure for truck drivers. This ensures that only authorised truckers are granted access, reducing the risk of unauthorised access and optimising the process for heavy goods vehicles entering and exiting. A particular advantage of passify is that no additional physical infrastructure is required. Companies can install the app directly on their drivers' mobile devices, making implementation straightforward. This digital solution enables both truckers and terminal operators to benefit from increased efficiency and security in the logistics process.

To the passify website

HHLA Sky has developed an innovative control centre technology for the growing drone market. This platform enables the centralised control of drone fleets at various locations worldwide. HHLA Sky has received multiple awards for the first scalable drone control centre and for its own drones.

The control centre offers a complete solution for planning, scheduling, flights, data provision and mission documentation. Special, highly robust and secure industrial drones are also built and used on behalf of HHLA Sky. Autonomous mobile robots (AMR) can also be controlled by the control centre.

To the HHLA Sky website

RailSync is a powerful web-based platform that connects all parties at intermodal terminals, improving collaboration and efficiency throughout the logistics process. It acts as a central source of information for all planning and control data, ensuring that all parties involved have access to the most up-to-date information at all times. The platform provides customised access for terminal operators, railway undertakings, infrastructure companies and shunting service providers, enabling seamless communication between the various parties.

To the RailSync website

iSAM AG is a globally active specialist in automation technology. The focus is on technologically demanding automation tasks in the industrial sector with the aim of making machine control as intelligent and operator-independent as possible. The company provides the technology to make ‘old economy’ companies fit for the requirements of the ‘new economy’.

iSAM is the first and so far only supplier to have developed a fully automated solution for the operation of loading and unloading bridges for bulk materials on the quayside. Automatic detection of ship movements and automatic guidance of the load handling device is a key technology. iSAM has thus laid the foundations for the complete automation of a container gantry crane. The company operates its own subsidiaries for the core markets in the USA, Australia, Asia, and Canada.

To the iSAM website

FERNRIDE is the leading platform for autonomous electric trucking, providing innovative solutions for the logistics industry. The platform takes a gradual approach to introducing autonomous driving features, which are used in combination with teleoperation. This enables heavy goods vehicle drivers to control electric trucks remotely and safely without being in the vehicle themselves, which not only increases safety but also optimises the efficiency of transport processes.

To the FERNRIDE website

Survey Compass is an innovative solution that digitises service processes in container depots. This digitalisation significantly increases the efficiency and quality of container maintenance and repair processes. The platform optimises operations by collecting and analysing all relevant data centrally, which leads to faster identification of problems and better resource planning. Survey Compass not only enables companies to improve their operations, but also to increase client satisfaction by providing reliable and timely high-quality container maintenance.

To the Survey Compass website

Spherie is a service provider specialising in linear and 360° film production, 3D scanning, drone inspections and the development of AR and VR applications. Spherie's goal is to digitise the world we experience every day and transform it into new, innovative experiences that expand the possibilities of immersive technologies. Whether in the field of tourism, industry or media production, Spherie offers customised solutions that set new standards in the industry and create extraordinary experiences.

To the Spherie website