Port of Antwerp-Bruges unveils autonomous electric shuttle for intra-terminal logistics

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, in collaboration with technology partners Akkodis, VDL, and Medrepair, has successfully demonstrated a next-generation logistics solution: a fully autonomous, all-electric shuttle.

The live demonstration took place at the Medrepair terminal as part of the PIONEERS project, an initiative funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

Engineered to tackle the growing complexity of internal container movements, the autonomous shuttle is capable of automating short-distance transfers between critical terminal locations—including warehouses, container stacks, and gate areas—eliminating reliance on diesel-powered vehicles and reducing manual handling.

The system is equipped with smart navigation software, high-resolution sensors, and a centralized Human-Machine Interface (HMI), allowing it to operate independently along predefined routes while maintaining full situational awareness and control.

Built on the VDL 3-axle MTT platform, the vehicle features a 6×4 electric transmission and a dynamic axle system, tailored to meet the demands of terminal operations.

This marks the second successful test of the system, following an earlier technical validation conducted in Breda, the Netherlands.

The current demonstration emphasized real-world integration within an active terminal environment, providing valuable operational data that will support the scaling and commercial deployment of the solution in the near future.

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