This year, Westwell has expanded a new intelligent logistics project for a Fortune 500 factory in China, while the airport driverless project is under active development.
On June 2, 2023, it has signed an agreement with Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe for an additional 100 battery-powered autonomous Q-Trucks developed by Shanghai Westwell Technology Co., Ltd (“Westwell”). According to the latest news, the first batch of 12 Q-Trucks successfully arrived at Port of Felixstowe in late October. Meanwhile, the second batch of Q-Trucks has been shipped from Shanghai and is now en route to the UK.
Figure: The Q-Truck fleet that successfully arrived at Port of Felixstowe (Image source: Westwell)
As the UK's largest and busiest container port, and one of the largest in Europe, Port of Felixstowe is the first international port in Europe to introduce "autonomous trucks" to mixed transport container terminal operations. It boasts 3 railway terminals and the UK's busiest and largest intermodal rail freight facilities. The port has nine container berths, four of which have facilities for the world's largest container ships.
Port of Felixstowe is a member of Hutchison Ports. By integrating innovative technologies of "intelligence and new energy", Hutchison Ports aims to continue the development of the Port of Felixstowe as a world class smart port that combines "efficiency, automation, and sustainability". Since 2018, Westwell has initiated in-depth collaboration with Hutchison Ports. Adhering to the philosophy of "efficiency first, value realization", Westwell contributes "comprehensive" autonomous new energy intelligent solutions, collaborating with Hutchison Ports to establish a global benchmark for "efficiency, safety, and sustainability" in port operations.
At the Port of Felixstowe, Westwell and Hutchison Ports are planning to build the largest electric autonomous commercial vehicle fleet to date. Meanwhile, both parties will deploy green intelligent energy battery swap services, further advancing the commercial application and value exploration of autonomous driving technology in global container ports.
According to a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), currently, over 70% of the international trade value and over 80% of the international trade volume are realized through maritime transport. On October 14th, Port of Felixstowe welcomed Laura Maersk, the world's first container ship to be powered by a green methanol-fuel engine. During the vessel call, Q-Truck had the opportunity to demonstrate how their deployment can deliver sustainable, green, and low-carbon energy transition in the logistics industry.
Figure: Q-Truck participating in ship operations with Laura Maersk in the UK (Image source: Westwell)
In today's green transformation of the shipping industry, Westwell's Q-Truck helps improve the efficiency and stability of container handling at the docks and can make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions from port operations. In the case of pure green electricity, it is estimated that the new energy Q-Truck can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 tons per unit per year in actual production scenarios such as Felixstowe Port in the UK.
This year, Q-Truck was also honored to be included in the World Intellectual Property Organization's WIPO GREEN database. WIPO GREEN connects key stakeholders with eco-friendly innovations through its database and network, supporting global efforts to address climate change. It aims to stimulate innovation in this field and expand its reach, contributing to the efforts of developing countries to address global challenges such as climate change, food security, and the environment.
Figure: A screenshot of the WIPO GREEN database official website
Westwell, combining AI with New Energy demands, has formulated the Ainergy strategy. By constructing intelligent green solutions, it creates diverse value for users. Currently, it has provided products and services to over 160 users across 18 countries and regions in the Globe. Westwell will continue to uphold the green development philosophy, strengthen cooperation with international organizations and user enterprises, contribute to global green development and climate change mitigation, and jointly address global environmental issues.