As if by magic

These fully automated vehicles move between the cranes and the container yards. Using a system of 17,000 transponders, whose signals help determine the location of the vehicles, a specially developed software searches for the quickest route through the terminal. When their batteries are running low, the AGVs independently go to special charging stations to top up.

Most of the other terminal vehicles and handling equipment are also electrified, and they are powered with green energy. These features allowed CTA to become the first certified climate-neutral container handling facility in the world. climate-neutral container handling facility in the world.

The container yard consists of 26 storage blocks, each of which is handled by two rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs). The two cranes are of different heights so that they can work in parallel and, if one is undergoing maintenance, can jump in for the other when needed. The colourful boxes are arranged in block storage according to instructions from the software. Very soon, CTA will be using artificial intelligence to optimise the slots and facilitate the fastest possible release. Bald soll using artificial intelligence to optimise the slots, and facilitate the fastest possible release.

Tractors with a special chassis transport the containers between block storage and the rail terminal. Kombi-Transeuropa Terminal Hamburg (KTH), Europe’s biggest container rail terminal for intermodal services, operates at the CTA site. A successful freight traffic centre (GVZ) that can also make use of the rail terminal lies directly alongside it. Block-trains on the terminal’s nine 720-metre tracks are handled by rail gantry cranes fitted with rotating trolleys. When trains pass through the train gate, cameras automatically scan the containers’ identifiers and other special features.

Employees at the CTA control station have access to a sophisticated IT system, referred to as the terminal logistics and management unit. With its help, handling and warehousing process can be combined with road and rail traffic throughout the terminal. The software was developed in-house by HHLA’s IT department and is constantly adapted to accommodate new requirements. The system controls the various cranes and tractors via mobile data communication, which results in shorter routes, fewer empty runs and timely handling of all contracts for the terminal with the optimal utilisation of resources.

But this ensemble can only function if experienced employees in the control station and all over the terminal keep the facility running. Sometimes, though, it looks as if the CTA is being controlled by magic.