Felixstowe grows self-driving truck fleet to 100

Port of Felixstowe has ordered a third batch of self-driving trucks from Westwell, increasing its fleet of self-driving vehicles autonomous truck fleet to 100.

The new fully electric vehicles, which will operate in busy mixed-traffic container terminal operations at Felixstowe, incorporate enhanced sensor and perception technology, including 128-line LiDAR and advanced camera systems

This provides a more detailed understanding of the operating environment and supports safe, accurate and reliable operation.

The investment also includes a second automated battery swapping station.

Felixstowe’s existing station enables autonomous trucks to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged units in five to six minutes, helping to maximise fleet availability and minimise operational disruption.

Supporting this capability is the port’s private 5G network, one of the largest industrial private 5G deployments in the UK.

The network provides fast, secure and highly reliable communications, enabling real-time connectivity between autonomous trucks, control systems and terminal infrastructure, ensuring safe, efficient and responsive operations across both autonomous and conventional equipment.

Felixstowe has used only electricity certified as being from renewable sources since April 2023, and the bigger fleet will help the port meet its target of achieving Net-Zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035.

Kenny Tan, Founder and Chairman of Westwell, said: “This latest order marks another important milestone in our partnership and reflects the confidence Felixstowe has placed in Westwell’s technology, products and operational support.

“With 100 autonomous trucks in operation, the Port of Felixstowe is Europe’s leading port for the deployment of autonomous vehicles at scale in live terminal operations.”