After the recovery of the German economy, the transport levels of the port of Hamburg recur to growth, increasing the utilisation of the existing road and rail infrastructure. Until 2025, a doubling of the number of containers handled in Germany‘s largest sea port is expected.  To prevent future infrastructure overload, it should be investigated into the use of innovative transport systems which can meet the future challenges, i.e. continuous growth under high quality requirements and with consideration of environmental issues.

For this purpose, this study was set up to examine a number of advanced and fully new transport systems to compare them qualitatively and quantitatively. In doing so, the classical distinction between transport modes  (e.g. road or rail) was abandoned. From the large number of concepts and visions documented, a subset of 20 systems was selected, using fundamental criteria like the availability of a technical implementation plan or the adaptation possibility in terms of overseas container transport.  The subset includes conventional, dual (with two possible vehicle types) as well as automatic (driver-free) systems. The examined concepts range from adapted road vehicles over advanced automated freight trains to magnetic levitation railways and ropeways.

The selected systems were analysed for applicability in various use scenarios within the port and in the European hinterland transport. Both, the vehicle concept and the driveway concept including the related operational features was analysed.