GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026
Autonomous Transport Vehicles in Terminal
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) take over horizontal transport tasks within container terminals – shuttling boxes between the yard and the quay cranes without a human driver.
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Source: https://www.logisticsmanagement.com/technology/autonomous-vehicles-are-revolutionizing-logistics
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Definition & Explanation
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) take over horizontal transport tasks within container terminals – shuttling boxes between the yard and the quay cranes without a human driver. They navigate via magnetic tracks, transponders, or GPS-based systems, feeding position data continuously into the Terminal Operating System. For terminal operators, AGVs deliver consistent throughput around the clock, lower labour costs, and reduced accident exposure near crane rails. The upfront investment in control infrastructure, safety sensors, and IT integration is substantial, making AGVs primarily viable for high-volume deep-sea terminals. Rotterdam's ECT Delta Terminal is widely cited as one of the first large-scale deployments.
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