Pioneering CAM solutions: The next step for UK ports

The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) and a collaboration of partners, including the Port of Tyne, Oxa, and ANGOKA, have successfully secured government funding to enhance Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) solutions in the UK. This initiative, known as the CAM Pathfinder – Enhancements programme, is set to pioneer the Port-Connected and Automated Logistics (P-CAL) project. This project will demonstrate the use of autonomous container transport at the Port of Tyne.

Supported by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), a joint unit between the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Transport, the programme is part of a £150 million initiative aimed at advancing CAM vehicles for both domestic growth and export opportunities.

P-CAL will build where previous initiatives such as 5G CAL and V-CAL laid the groundwork, taking autonomous logistics a step further in port efficiency.

The project plans to roll out an entirely automated terminal tractor alongside a secure mesh communication network, conceived to operate containers between the dockside and container compound. This breakthrough represents the UK's first instance of waterside port automation.

P-CAL will face challenges within a newly established Operational Design Domain, which handles the complexities of a high-traffic quayside. Key elements include real-time coordination with cranes, aligning with Terminal Operating Systems, and ensuring robust cybersecurity for remote operations. This visionary project will be driven collaboratively by industry and academic experts such as the NEAA, Port of Tyne, Oxa, Nissan, Newcastle University, ANGOKA, Vantec Europe, BP, and Womble Bond Dickinson.

Over the course of nine months, the initiative aims to prove that scalable and commercially viable autonomous logistics solutions can coexist with UK’s Net Zero goals while improving efficiency and safety. Furthermore, it anticipates reducing costs and paving the way for widespread autonomous logistics across UK ports and distribution centres.

Gavin Jackson, CEO at Oxa, said: “The P-CAL project is a prime example of Industrial Mobility Automation in action. What we're showcasing here - safely automating complex container movements in a dynamic port environment - will act as a blueprint for port terminals in the UK and beyond. We believe this initiative offers a compelling vision for how autonomous technology will continue to optimise logistics - enhancing reliability and efficiency and improving operational safety globally.”

Matt Beeton, CEO at the Port of Tyne, said: “The P-CAL project cements the North East’s position as a driving force in industrial innovation. By deploying autonomous logistics in a live port environment, we’re not only enhancing safety and operational performance, but we are also shaping the future of the sector. We’re proud that the Port of Tyne is leading the work with our key partners and proving what’s possible for ports across the UK and beyond.”

Shadi AR, CTO at ANGOKA, said: “We are excited about the advances the P-CAL project will introduce to the world of Industrial Mobility Automation. ANGOKA will be showcasing the world’s first-of-its-kind purpose-built quantum safe and secure digital infrastructure and mesh communication network for industrial and logistic automation. P-CAL will pioneer cost-effective, sustainable, and cyber-resilient industrial and logistics automation within ports and industrial parks."

Through efforts like these, the UK positions itself as a leader in logistics innovation, demonstrating the potential for enhanced reliability, efficiency, and operational safety on a global scale. As collaborations like P-CAL evolve, we are likely to witness profound changes in how ports operate, anchored by the shared expertise and ambition to redefine the sector.