The business case for autonomous transport in the port of Vlissingen

Summary

Automation of transport has several potential advantages, such as an increase in road capacity, in road safety and in driving comfort. In addition, automation offers a significant solution to the growing challenge of the driver shortage. In this report, we examine the impact of using autonomous vehicles in the port of Vlissingen, comparing performance with regular vehicles. We also identify the synergy effects that can be achieved with a shared pool of autonomous vehicles that can be used by multiple companies. The results show that the implementation of autonomous vehicles brings several advantages, despite the initial increase in equipment costs. First of all, the implementation of autonomous vehicles leads to a reduction in personnel costs. Because the vehicles are self-driving, a single control room employee can monitor several vehicles simultaneously, resulting in significant savings on personnel. In addition, we see that autonomous vehicles bring a substantial reduction in fuel costs. The fact that autonomous vehicles have an electric driveline ends dependency on fossil fuels and reduces fuel costs in the long run. This is not only financially attractive, but is also results in lower CO2 emissions, thereby contributing to a greener and more environmentally friendly future. We find that the operator-to-vehicle ratio is crucial for the economic attractiveness of autonomous transport. When this ratio increases, more control room employees will be needed and personnel costs will increase. Therefore, it is important to study this parameter carefully, as it directly affects the overall financial feasibility of implementing autonomous vehicles. The results of our research show that the synergy effects of a pool of autonomous vehicles are limited. Small cost reductions can be achieved, because equipment can be used slightly more efficiently. This is particularly beneficial for the smaller companies, that would need only one or two autonomous terminal tractors for their own operations. Larger companies can already achieve efficient deployment of the vehicles on their own. The restricted potential for synergy is mainly caused by the high similarity in opening hours and peak demands over all companies. Based on the findings in this report, we advise the companies in the port of Vlissingen to consider autonomous vehicles as a financially attractive alternative to regular terminal tractors. Larger companies can invest in this new technology themselves, but for smaller companies the investment might be a burden. Despite the limited financial advantages of a shared pool of autonomous vehicles, we see potential benefits of cooperation as a way to enable wider adoption of automated transport. Since cooperation is not directly in the interest of larger companies, initiative by an external party could be recommended, such as the port authorities or a company renting out the vehicles. The strategic adoption of autonomous vehicles by multiple companies in the port of Vlissingen strengthens the position of the port in the market while contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.