The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), the Port of Tyne, autonomous vehicle technology provider, Oxa, and cybersecurity provider, ANGOKA, are among the organisations to have secured Government funding to help develop and deploy world-leading Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) solutions in the UK.
Through the CAM Pathfinder – Enhancements programme, the NEAA and a consortium of partners will deliver P-CAL (Port-Connected and Automated Logistics), a pioneering project set to demonstrate autonomous container transport at the Port of Tyne.
Building on the success of the 5G CAL and V-CAL initiatives previously supported by UK Government, P-CAL marks a significant leap forward in connected and automated logistics for UK ports.
This multi-million-pound initiative will deploy a fully autonomous terminal tractor and secure mesh communication network to move containers between the dockside and the container compound, creating a UK first in waterside port automation.
P-CAL operates within a new and complex Operational Design Domain (ODD), tackling the challenges of a high-traffic, dynamic quayside environment. These include real-time coordination with cranes, seamless integration with Terminal Operating Systems and robust cybersecurity for safe, remote operations.
The project is being delivered by the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), the Port of Tyne, Oxa, Nissan, Newcastle University, ANGOKA, Vantec Europe, BP and Womble Bond Dickinson, bringing together deep expertise in automation, cybersecurity, logistics, and legal compliance.
Paul Butler, CEO at the NEAA, said: “P-CAL addresses the unique demands of quayside operations, where vehicles must coordinate precisely with cranes and navigate a constantly changing environment.
“This moves beyond our previous work into a completely new operational setting. With a focus on innovation, collaboration and environmental responsibility, this project will showcase the future of freight logistics.”
Running over nine months, the project aims to demonstrate a scalable, safe, and commercially viable autonomous logistics solution that supports the UK’s Net Zero goals while enhancing efficiency and safety. It is expected to reduce costs, create skilled jobs and lay the groundwork for wider adoption of autonomous logistics across UK ports and distribution centres.
Gavin Jackson, CEO at Oxa, said: “The P-CAL project is a prime example of Industrial Mobility Automation in action. What we’re showcasing here – safely automating complex container movements in a dynamic port environment – will act as a blueprint for port terminals in the UK and beyond. We believe this initiative offers a compelling vision for how autonomous technology will continue to optimise logistics – enhancing reliability and efficiency and improving operational safety globally.”
You can read the full article, and learn more about Oxa on their website.
