A consortium led by the North East Automotive Alliance has secured Government funding to develop the UK's first autonomous container transport system at the Port of Tyne.

The P-CAL (Port-Connected and Automated Logistics) project will deploy fully autonomous terminal tractors and secure mesh communication networks to move containers between dockside and storage compounds, representing a significant advancement in UK port automation.

The initiative is funded through the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles' CAM Pathfinder – Enhancements programme, part of a broader £150 million investment announced in the Government's Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan. The programme aims to commercialise Connected and Automated Mobility vehicles whilst strengthening the UK's supply chain capabilities.

Key partners include Oxa, ANGOKA, Nissan, Newcastle University, Vantec Europe, BP and Womble Bond Dickinson, combining expertise in automation, cybersecurity, logistics and legal compliance.

Paul Butler, CEO at the NEAA, explained: "P-CAL addresses the unique demands of quayside operations, where vehicles must coordinate precisely with cranes and navigate a constantly changing environment."

The nine-month project will operate within a complex Operational Design Domain, tackling challenges including real-time crane coordination, Terminal Operating System integration, and robust cybersecurity for remote operations.

Gavin Jackson, CEO at Oxa, described the initiative as "a prime example of Industrial Mobility Automation in action" that will "act as a blueprint for port terminals in the UK and beyond."

The project builds upon previous 5G CAL and V-CAL initiatives and aims to create a scalable, commercially viable solution supporting Net Zero goals. Expected benefits include cost reductions, skilled job creation, and establishing groundwork for wider autonomous logistics adoption across UK ports and distribution centres.

Matt Beeton, CEO at the Port of Tyne, said the project "cements the North East's position as a driving force in industrial innovation."