Fernride has begun the operational transition to driverless operation of terminal tractors at the multifunctional terminal HHLA TK Estonia in the port of Muuga near Tallinn. The transition is taking place gradually and without safety drivers. Currently, three autonomous vehicles of the company are in use at the terminal.
TÜV Certification and Official Approval
The start of operations follows the certification of the safety concept and system design by TÜV SÜD, as well as approval by the Estonian Transport Administration (ETA), according to a joint press release dated July 10, 2025. According to the information, this is the first TÜV SÜD certification for an autonomous terminal tractor in accordance with the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. The certification covers the entire vehicle system, including sensors,
computing technology, and software, and confirms compliance with requirements for safety, cybersecurity, and system reliability.
Benedikt Pulver, Head of the Machine Safety Department at TÜV SÜD, stated:
“Fernride is the first company to receive the TÜV SÜD certification for a specific port application with autonomous trucks.”
Implementation in Terminal Operations
Since January 2023, Fernride and HHLA TK Estonia have been working together on a joint project to integrate driverless systems into regular terminal operations. According to the release, structured rollout scenarios and standardized procedures have been introduced to qualify terminal staff for the use of autonomous tractors.
Riia Sillave, Managing Director of HHLA TK Estonia, commented:
“Entering the phase of driverless terminal traffic is an important step towards being a digital pioneer and test
field—not only for our collaboration with Fernride but for the future of terminal operations worldwide. As one of the first terminals to take this step, we are shaping the path to smarter logistics. We are convinced that innovation can only succeed with the know-how of our employees—the commitment of our team is the foundation for integrating this technology into daily operations.”
Hendrik Kramer, CEO and co-founder of Fernride, stated:
“This is a pivotal moment not only for Fernride but for the entire autonomous logistics industry in Europe. From the beginning, we have made safety the foundation of all our developments. Meeting the strictest European regulations required enormous efforts, and I am incredibly proud of the commitment and precision of our team throughout this entire
process. This certification proves that our technology meets the highest safety standards not only in theory but also in practice, bringing us one step closer to the commercial realization of autonomous logistics throughout the EU.”
Company Background
HHLA TK Estonia operates a multifunctional terminal for containers, general cargo, bulk cargo, and Ro-Ro traffic at the port of Muuga near Tallinn. The location is connected to the Estonian rail network and is easily accessible by road.
Fernride develops automation solutions for trucks in yard and port logistics. The foundation is the concept of “human-assisted autonomy,” where autonomous, electrically operated trucks can be remotely monitored and controlled when needed. According to the company, it works with partners like Volkswagen, HHLA, and DB Schenker and employs more
