Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG has put its first remote-controlled rail gantry cranes into operation at its Container Terminal Altenwerder. The move extends remote handling at the terminal, where remote-controlled container gantry cranes are already in use.

A new rail gantry crane manufactured by Künz was installed specifically for remote operation, while an existing crane was also upgraded for both manual and remote control. Operators and technicians received training during commissioning, with crane operators set to control the equipment from workstations inside the terminal building.

The new crane spans nine railway tracks, extends over 41 metres, and has a total working width of approximately 90 metres. Rail transport is crucial for the Port of Hamburg’s hinterland logistics, with around 2.6 million TEUs expected to be moved by rail through the port in 2025.