Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) will exempt electric trucks from time-slot restrictions at its Hamburg container terminals under a pilot programme running until mid-2026, allowing the vehicles to be processed flexibly at any time during the booked day.
HHLA introduced its slot booking system in 2017 to reduce congestion at Germany’s busiest seaport. All container trucks must reserve a time window for processing, and those arriving without a valid booking cannot be handled.
Trucks are normally processed only within a 60-minute slot, with additional tolerance depending on capacity. Significant delays require cancelling and rebooking, and slots cannot be arranged on site.
The exemption adds a new category in the booking system that frees fully electric trucks from fixed arrival windows. HHLA said the measure reflects operational challenges linked to charging requirements and is part of its sustainability strategy.
“By temporarily suspending slot compliance for e-trucks, we are specifically supporting the switch to climate-friendly drive systems,” said Jens Hansen, HHLA’s Chief Operating Officer. “For many years now, the entire HHLA Group has been driving forward the electrification of its equipment across Europe – with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions and offering our customers sustainable, future-oriented solutions.”