HHLA and ABB Collaborate on Container Crane Systems

The European logistics company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) and ABB, a technology leader in electrification and automation, have agreed to a partnership to enhance the efficiency of the long-term operation of automated container crane systems.

(Hamburg) When the HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) was commissioned in 2002, it was one of the first container terminals in the world to use automated container crane systems for container handling. Following the successful implementation at the CTA, automated container crane systems were also introduced at the Container Terminal Burchardkai (CTB). Today, HHLA operates more than 100 container crane systems at both terminals using ABB’s automation technology.

The partnership between HHLA and ABB aims to unlock potential for the further development of container crane systems as well as their deployment, maintenance, and servicing. This goal is to be achieved particularly through the transfer of knowledge from HHLA’s long operational experience and ABB’s expertise in providing automation solutions for more than 1,000 container crane systems worldwide. The partnership will run until the end of 2025.

“We are very pleased about the partnership with ABB in the area of our automated container crane systems. With ABB, we have a partner with high technical competence by our side. Our goal is to optimize the container crane systems and further develop them through innovative technology,” explains Oliver Dux, Director of Technology at HHLA.

20 Years of Experience

“With 20 years of experience, HHLA is the ideal partner for ABB, and we look forward to taking container crane systems to the next level with supporting tools and methods,” says Uno Bryfors, Global Business Line Manager, Ports at ABB Marine & Ports.

Photo: © HHLA / Thies Rätzke