December 5, 2018 - Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) and Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) have established a joint venture aimed at developing a system that would enable transporting containers at high speed through a tube to and from the Port of Hamburg.
As explained, the goal of the joint venture is to develop and later market a Hyperloop transport system for shipping containers.
Initially, plans include the construction of a transfer station for testing purposes at the HHLA terminal in Hamburg and the development of a transport capsule for standard shipping containers.
“With the Hyperloop transport system, HHLA is pursuing the goal of developing an additional component of efficient logistic mobility solutions in Germany. As gateway to the future, we want to employ innovative approaches to make a contribution towards relieving the strain on the transport infrastructure in and around the Port of Hamburg and to use the capacities of our terminal facilities in an even more efficient way,” Angela Titzrath, Chairwoman of HHLA’s Executive Board, commented.
“Together, we will develop a complete system, that not only concentrates on speed and efficiency, but also takes into account the issues ports face in daily operation,” Dirk Ahlborn, founder and CEO of HTT, said.
“Digitisation and technological developments are increasingly changing our day-to-day work. In order for us to remain a leading global logistics hub in the future, we need new ideas and new business models in the logistics environment, as well as infrastructure projects such as the adjustment of the navigation channel of the river Elbe and the expansion of motorways. It is good when we can develop and test such innovations here in Hamburg,” Michael Westhagemann, Minister for Economy, Transport and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, noted.
Behind the concept of the Hyperloop is the idea of transporting people and goods at high speed through a tube. With the help of magnetic levitation technology, the transport capsules used in the system will be sent through a tunnel, in which there is a partial air vacuum, at speeds reaching or even exceeding 1000 km/h. A test track for transporting people and goods is currently under construction in Toulouse, France. The first test journeys in Europe are set to take place here next year.
Source: World Maritime News
