VDL scores mega order for new AGV

The VDL Groep of Eindhoven has received a mega order from ECT of Rotterdam for the delivery of 22 Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGV) developed by VDL. The AGVs for ECT Delta Terminal are used for the handling of sea containers at container terminals, for the transport from the crane to the container storage area. As of October 2013 the first vehicles will be delivered. And there is an option for another 62 AGVs.

In only 12 months time VDL was able to develop and produce a new generation electrically-driven diesel hybrid vehicles at the request of ECT. Therefore, VDL companies VDL Containersystemen, Advanced Public Transport Systems (APTS) and VDL Steelweld have combined their knowledge and production techniques. The focus in developing was on cost reduction, improved reliability and to minimize environmental impact.

Automatic Guided Vehicle 
The first prototype VDL AGV was delivered to ECT in October 2011. The hybrid VDL AGV was tested in Rotterdam for three months, 24 hours a day to verify the quality and working capacity. The VDL AGV is capable of transporting different sizes of containers (maximum '45, a length of about 14 metres). This unique vehicle can handle as much as 70 tonnes of weight and moves with a maximum speed of 21 km/h. The close cooperation with ECT began in the design phase in order to arrive at an optimal technical design. The vehicle is driven by an electric drive system, which was developed in cooperation with Siemens. A small diesel engine powers a generator, which in turn provides electricity for the electric motors. Ultra capacitors are used to ensure there is always enough power to meet peak demand. After a successful test period the prototype was put into use. 

Flexibel design 
Characteristic of the VDL AGV is the modular design of the vehicle. This enables terminal operators to swap out components, instead of replacing an entire vehicle when technical 
components fail or wear out. The VDL AGV is built such that new technologies, such as induction and hydrogen drive systems or GPS navigation can be incorporated without major modifications. In addition, the modular design makes is possible to easily adapt the vehicle to the customer's wishes.