Project completed: 5G campus network enhances automated terminal operations at CTA in Hamburg

July 15, 2026

Credit: HHLA

A powerful 5G campus network has gone into operation at Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG’s (HHLA) Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA). HHLA has implemented the infrastructure in collaboration with Deutsche Telekom and Ericsson as part of the PROCON-5G project. The network, which supports key logistics processes as well as real-time applications and forms the basis for a digital testing ground for innovations at the port, has been serving an area of more than one square kilometre since the end of May 2026.

The 5G campus network was designed specifically to meet the demands of a highly automated container terminal. It connects vehicles, sensors, mobile devices and IT systems in a network in real time. The architecture, based on the Ericsson Private 5G Campus solution, ensures stable and high-performance communication even under heavy use. It also offers flexible scaling – both on-site and for future applications or additional areas. The network is operated as a dedicated 5G campus network, independent of the public mobile network, within the locally allocated frequency spectrum.

Michael Albers, HHLA Project Manager: “With the 5G campus network, we now have a high-performance and stable wireless infrastructure on which we can test new applications under realistic conditions and put them into operation straight away. At the same time, we can develop and trial solutions with our partners under actual conditions here at our terminal. This is an important step for us in our progress towards the networking and automation of CTA”.

Klaus Werner, Director Business Customers at Telekom Deutschland: “The 5G campus network at Container Terminal Altenwerder marks an important step forward in the digitalisation of port logistics in collaboration with HHLA. The solution demonstrates how modern mobile communications technology makes complex processes more efficient, transparent and flexible”.

Funding and partners

In addition to the technical implementation by Telekom and Ericsson, HHLA was supported by additional partners. Radio network planning and the tendering process were carried out with the support of the Zentrum für Digitale Entwicklung GmbH (ZDE). Lufthansa Industry Solutions (LHIND) took on project management responsibilities, while Hamburg Port Consulting GmbH (HPC) managed the funding management.

PROCON-5G is part of the “Digitale Testfelder in Häfen” (Digital Testing Grounds in Ports) funding scheme. This is an initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) to support the development of digital infrastructure for trialling innovative technologies. The project sponsor is TÜV Rheinland.