HPC to support in fleet conversion to climate-friendly trucks
HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC), a subsidiary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has supported CHI Cargo Handling International in a wide-ranging project. CHI, one of the leading providers of air cargo logistics services at Frankfurt Airport, has been advised on the conversion of its truck fleet to climate-friendly propulsion with a feasibility study and the successful acquisition of funding.
In order to offer its customers in the vicinity of Frankfurt Airport climate-friendly transport of airfreight cargo, CHI is planning a pilot project as part of its “Green Logistics” strategy as an entry into carbon dioxide-neutral land transport. In preparing the business decision, CHI has commissioned HPC to identify the propulsion technology suitable for the areas of application in a feasibility study, to appoint an efficient truck manufacturer and to compile a funding application for the investment.
The subject of the study is the technical requirements for environmentally friendly transport in the short-haul sector in the area of the Frankfurt Cargo City Green Line. Furthermore, the performance requirements for the future use of CO2-free trucks in long-distance transport between Frankfurt Airport and Nuremberg Airport were examined.
As part of its comprehensive due diligence, HPC conducted an operations and technical assessment, including feasibility and risk analysis, as well as equipment and civil engineering assessments.
“As a technology pioneer and one of the leading provider of forwarding handling in air freight, we want to take into account the increasing requirements for climate-neutral transports in the air freight sector,” says Kai Domscheit, Managing Director of CHI Germany Cargo Handling. “When selecting the appropriate environmentally friendly truck type, we have to ensure that we can deliver the usual reliability and high quality to our customers. In this respect, the feasibility study has provided us with a sound basis for decision-making.”With its operational expertise and holistic approach, HPC is well-positioned to help clients navigate complex acquisitions and make informed investment decisions.
HPC assisted CHI in successfully applying for funding for the procurement of its first electrically powered truck, including the appropriate charging infrastructure. The project is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport with around 500,000 Euros as part of the guideline on the promotion of light and heavy commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-protective drives and associated refuelling and charging infrastructure (KsNI). The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH, and applications are approved by the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility.
“Many freight forwarders are more and more often faced with the task of implementing their customers’ expectations of carbon-free transport of goods at reasonable investment costs. The national as well as European grant programmes are an important additional support for the medium-sized freight forwarding sector in this regard,” says Hartmut Beyer, Associate Partner and Head of Funding Management at HPC. “We are very delighted to have identified a future-proof solution for CHI.”
With the introduction of an electric-powered truck, CHI has made the first step towards CO2-neutral truck transport. Further steps to convert the entire fleet are planned if the results can be realized on the road as planned.