In Belgium, for the first time a truck without a driver's cabin rolled on public roads. At the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the Swedish technology company Einride presented a vehicle that drives completely autonomously. The demonstration took place as part of the first “Port of the Future – Autonomous Summit” on September 16 and, according to the port, marks a milestone for the deployment of autonomous transports in Europe.
Belgium authorizes first autonomous truck drive
It is the first time that a truck without a driver is on the road in Belgium, according to the statement. The vehicle was specifically developed for operation without a driver's cabin. An operator can monitor several vehicles in parallel, while the control is based on a combination of radar, LiDAR and cameras. An AI-assisted control center monitors the driving operation in real time and can intervene if needed.
Einride has previously tested
the system in Sweden and the USA. The company emphasizes that deployment in Belgium takes on a new dimension because the technology is now being used on public roads. Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Einride, explained:
“Today we show in Antwerp how public and private sectors can work together toward common goals.”
Port as a testing ground for autonomous systems
Port of Antwerp-Bruges is one of the most complex logistics hubs in the world and uses this position to test new technologies. According to the port authority, drones are already used there for inspection and monitoring. In addition, autonomous or semi-autonomous ships as well as remotely controlled vehicles are being added. The goal is to accelerate the flow of goods, shorten waiting times and increase safety.
Jacques Vandermeiren, chairman of the port’s board, said:
“With this premiere, we show that autonomy in our port is not
a distant future.”
He stressed that autonomous solutions are already contributing to greater efficiency and sustainability today.
Political support at EU and regional levels
The demonstration was part of a broader initiative in which companies, research institutions, startups and policymakers came together. According to the port, the development of autonomous technologies is facilitated by so-called regulatory sandboxes. These are test zones in which new systems may be tested under real conditions.
With the approval of the first autonomous Level-4 truck in Belgium, deployment on this basis was enabled. Jean-Luc Crucke, Minister for Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition, described the premiere as a step toward safer transport and as evidence of Belgium’s leading role. Support also came from the European Commission. Andrea De Candido from the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation emphasized that the project aligns with European goals, namely to promote technologies that are efficient, safe and
sustainable.
Significance for the logistics industry
For logistics companies, the test run is of particular interest because it shows that driverless transports are no longer limited to closed test tracks. The cabless design opens up new approaches to cost efficiency, as less personnel are needed to monitor several vehicles. At the same time, the technology could help address the driver shortage in road freight transport.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to create a platform with the “Port of the Future – Autonomous Summit” where partners from industry, policy and science can exchange ideas. The goal is to move autonomous technologies from the testing phase into everyday use and thus safeguard Europe’s competitiveness in logistics.
The first autonomous truck drive on public roads in Belgium shows that driverless transports are moving from pilot project to practice and thereby opening up new options for efficiency and competitiveness in road
