Hutchison Ports UK has completed the deployment of a private 5G network across its major ports, including the Port of Felixstowe, Harwich International Port, and London Thamesport. This initiative, which is touted as one of the most advanced industrial connectivity platforms in the UK, supports Hutchison Ports’ plans to drive digital transformation and enhance operational efficiency.
The Port of Felixstowe, the UK’s busiest container port, alongside Harwich International and London Thamesport, now benefit from a high-capacity, low-latency 5G network that enables large-scale automation, such as the deployment of autonomous, electric trucks. These trucks require continuous connectivity and very low latency for safe remote intervention, making the new 5G network essential for the next phase of port operations. This technology will also support data-rich applications, remote-controlled cranes, and other future innovations as part of Hutchison Ports’ strategy for long-term sustainability.
The current 4G network, while reliable for basic tasks such as delivering work instructions to vehicle cabs, lacked the performance needed to support the demands of automated systems. The 5G network, delivered by Three Group Solutions, provides ultra-reliable connectivity capable of supporting high-capacity automation and ensuring the performance and predictability needed for autonomous operations.
To minimize disruption during installation, Three Group Solutions carefully migrated to the new network, running the 4G and 5G systems in parallel and optimizing performance at each phase. This smooth transition ensured that daily port operations remained unaffected.
Graham Wilde, head of private networks at Three Group Solutions, explained that automation in ports isn’t about replacing jobs but evolving them to be safer, more varied, and more attractive, which helps with recruitment and retention of talent.
The 5G network architecture was designed with dual cores, overlapping radio coverage, and diverse links between the three ports, ensuring operational resilience. The network is integrated within Hutchison Ports’ existing cybersecurity perimeter, with built-in capabilities for continued operation even during maintenance or faults.
While the immediate focus is on autonomous horizontal transport, the 5G network is also designed to support a range of future applications, including remote-controlled cranes, predictive maintenance using sensors, drone-based inspections, and the integration of video analytics and real-time data into digital twins of port operations.
Wilde noted that the new 5G network at Felixstowe, Harwich, and Thamesport forms the foundation for a decade of innovation. He highlighted that the potential for further development in port automation and logistics is only limited by imagination, reinforcing how private 5G can deliver resilience, performance, and flexibility at industrial scale.
This private 5G network will enable Hutchison Ports to continue expanding its capabilities, ensuring its ports remain at the forefront of technological advancements in the logistics and maritime industries.