Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) is setting another milestone on the road to automated container handling at the Port of Hamburg: The first remote-controlled container gantry cranes are about to begin operation at HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA).
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In February, the first three remote-controlled container gantry cranes at CTA are to be fully integrated into terminal operations. By 2030, all 14 container gantry cranes at CTA will be replaced by highly automated models. Delivery of the next three models is expected in April 2026. HHLA CEO Jeroen Eijsink and Hamburg’s Senator for Economic Affairs, Dr Melanie Leonhard, provided information on the current status of the project and the next steps on site at CTA.
Jeroen Eijsink, CEO of HHLA: “With this investment, we are strengthening the competitiveness of our facilities and laying the foundation for efficient and future-proof processes. At the same time, we are accompanying the technical development with comprehensive training measures so that our employees can successfully integrate the new technologies into operations. In this way, we combine innovation with responsibility and ensure reliable services for our customers.”
Dr Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economic Affairs, Labour and Social Affairs: “In order to make Germany’s largest port fit for the future, we are creating the conditions for modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art processes. Automation plays a key role in this, as it sustainably increases efficiency and performance. At the same time, job profiles are changing and work in the port is evolving in line with technical progress. Continuous training and further education, as well as employee qualification, are therefore crucial in order for people to benefit from changes in the world of work. We are working on this together with all those involved.”
The new partially assembled gantry cranes were delivered to Hamburg in December 2024 by a special ship, were assembled at CTA, and have been undergoing intensive testing since the end of 2025. They reach a height of up to 120 metres and have a jib length of approximately 146 metres. This makes them capable of handling ships with up to 16,000 TEU. Automated loading and discharge processes and an OCR system for digital container registration ensure faster processes and seamless data integration. Another special feature of the container gantry cranes is that they are controlled entirely remotely. The current crane operators have undergone targeted additional training and will in future perform their tasks from the office building as remote control operators.
A key component of the project is therefore the training of employees. As part of the DigiRemote2030 project, a simulator provides training in a realistic environment. Approximately 70 container gantry crane operators have already successfully completed this training course. In addition to the remote control operators, supervisors and lashers employed on the container gantry cranes are also undergoing further training, as automation is changing the processes involved.
HHLA is also consistently advancing automation at other locations as HHLA Container Terminal Burchardkai, the first mega-ships have already been handled using automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The transition to automated container transport on the quayside is expected to be fully implemented there by the middle of the year.