Logistics November 21, 2025

Port of Felixstowe Expands Autonomous Truck Fleet with 34 Vehicles

Sedat Onat

A detailed summary of Port of Felixstowe's strengthening of operational efficiency, emission reduction, and net-zero targets with new autonomous trucks acquired from Westwell.

Port of Felixstowe, one of Europe's busiest container terminals, has entered a new phase in autonomous land transport, taking delivery of the first two units of a new generation of 34 autonomous trucks (AT) manufactured by Shanghai Westwell Technology. These vehicles will double the fleet operating at the port's Trinity Terminal, which already has 34 ATs in service, and will significantly expand autonomous operating capacity.

Felixstowe was the first port in Europe to integrate autonomous trucks into real operations in a mixed traffic environment. The new vehicles play a critical role in the port's operational transformation vision and are seen as a key lever in the port's plan to achieve net-zero Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2035.

The new ATs are equipped with a 360° industrial-grade stereo camera system, advanced 128-channel LiDAR, and an advanced sensor fusion architecture. The vehicles also use illuminated signal bars, directional expressions, and audio alerts to facilitate communication between in-vehicle and external operators. These systems enable autonomous driving to maintain more transparent interaction with the environment and significantly reduce the risk of potential collisions with manned vehicles.

All autonomous trucks are fully electric and zero-emission. Since April 2023, Port of Felixstowe has used only renewable energy-certified electricity, which minimizes the carbon footprint of the AT fleet.

To enhance operational continuity, a new automatic battery swap station installed at the port enables trucks to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in just 5–6 minutes. This means that charging times—the biggest bottleneck for electric autonomous vehicles—have virtually no impact on operational efficiency.

Clemence Cheng, CEO of Hutchison Ports and Port of Felixstowe, said at the delivery ceremony that the new vehicles represent a "significant leap" in sensor technology and safety features, and that the existing AT fleet will also be upgraded to the same level. Cheng emphasized that autonomous technology works in harmony with the port's experienced workforce and that the efficiency gains are tangibly felt.

Kenny Tan, founder of Westwell, stated that they have enhanced Felixstowe's 150-year port heritage with artificial intelligence-powered autonomous technology called "Ainergy". Tan noted that the global partnership with Hutchison Ports exemplifies sustainable port transformation.

The new AT fleet will deliver at the port:

Higher operational speeds,
Lower energy costs,
Better traffic safety,
And significant reductions in carbon emissions
as multifaceted improvements.

Port of Felixstowe's investment is viewed as a step that strengthens technological leadership in both the UK and Europe in autonomous and electric port operations.