{
  "id": 3717463,
  "title": "Remote-controlled rail handling at Container Terminal Altenwerder",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/remote-controlled-rail-handling-at-container-terminal-altenwerder",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-27T10:00:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/remote-controlled-rail-handling-at-container-terminal-altenwerder/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new rail gantry crane, manufactured by Künz, was recently installed at Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA). This state-of-the-art crane is fully capable of remote-controlled operation, and can be controlled both manually from the cabin and remotely. The remote-control technology has been gradually implemented since the beginning of the year, marking a significant step in the terminal's ongoing development. Alongside the new remote-controlled crane, an existing rail gantry crane at CTA was also retrofitted, allowing it to operate in both manual and remote-controlled modes.\n\nThe remote-controlled container gantry cranes at CTA represent an important advancement in the terminal's ongoing transformation. Rail gantry crane operators and technicians have received comprehensive training in working with the new equipment, with operators now controlling the machinery from ergonomically designed office workstations in the terminal building. This development not only enhances operator comfort but also contributes to the evolution of job profiles in the port.\n\nOne of the key features of the new rail gantry crane is its impressive track width of over 41 meters, allowing it to span nine railway tracks at CTA. The total working width of the crane is approximately 90 meters, as it can reach the preliminary queuing areas on both the water and land sides. This extended reach significantly enhances the crane's operational capabilities.\n\nJens Hansen, a member of the HHLA Executive Board, expressed his satisfaction with the successful commissioning of the remote-controlled rail gantry cranes. He emphasized that these new cranes will greatly contribute to boosting efficiency and productivity in rail processing, further strengthening Hamburg's competitive advantage as Europe's leading rail port. The Port of Hamburg plays a pivotal role in European rail transport, with around half of all hinterland containers either arriving at or leaving the port by rail. In 2025, approximately 2.6 million standard containers (TEU) were transported by rail through the Port of Hamburg, with the majority of these transported via HHLA's container terminals. All three HHLA container terminals in Hamburg boast their own container rail terminals, accommodating block trains and underscoring the crucial role of rail in sustainable goods transport in and around Hamburg.",
  "summary": "A new rail gantry crane, manufactured by Künz, was delivered last year and installed at CTA and has been fully designed for remote-controlled operation. An existing rail gantry crane was also retrofitted as part of the upgrade: it thus can be operated both manually from the cabin as well as remotely. The remote-control technology has ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}