Swiss electronics company ABB has won a contract from Singapore-based ST Engineering Land Systems to deliver and commission integrated smart charging points for a fleet of fully-electric Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) in Singapore’s new Tuas port.

The autonomous vehicles, provided by Dutch manufacturing company VDL, will transport heavy shipping containers at the port terminal. The contract between ABB and ST Engineering includes 450 kW chargers, ABB’s prefabricated skid and container solutions with integrated chargers, medium- and low-voltage switchgear, transformers, and associated control and monitoring equipment. ABB will also provide a specially-designed charger connection to enable end-to-end integration with the AGVs. ABB says this integrated solution enables fast on-site installation and ensures high levels of operability.

VDL will supply the AGVs starting in September 2020. ABB will deliver the chargers and supporting infrastructure towards the end of 2020. The future port will boast an annual capacity of 65 million containers, and developers expect it to be the largest port in the world by the time it is complete in 2040. The first berth will be operational in 2021.

Frank Muehlon, Director of ABB’s EV charging infrastructure business, said, “The project brings together two of the biggest trends disrupting the mobility industry, the rise of autonomous vehicles and the adoption of EVs. ABB’s technologies will enable quick charging of the AGVs, which is vital for efficient container movement and for increasing the capacity of the port.”

Source: ABB