Freight News, IT, Logistics, Road


Teesside to be autonomous trucks testbed

[ May 5, 2026   //   ]

Cenex – the Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies in – and the International Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation (iC4DTI) are taking part in Project TACTIC (Teesside Autonomous Corridor for Trade Integration and Clearance), a six month feasibility study to develop the business case for driverless autonomous freight in Teesside.It would operate between Teesport and Teesside International Airport within the Teesside Freeport.

Three large, secure estates: Teesside International Airport, Teesworks and Wilton International allow initial off highway deployment, allowing procedures to be proven before potential extension along the A66 corridor.

Another focus of the study is a new approach to freight compliance. Today, customs and safety processes can introduce delays and congestion. TACTIC will explore a trade facilitation layer that brings together trusted, real time vehicle data—such as location, secure seals and weight—with digital trade documentation. This would allow checks to be prepared and resolved while the vehicle is in motion, with the aim that autonomous freight vehicles arrive pre cleared, reducing dwell time and improving reliability for time sensitive goods.

TACTIC is funded by the UK Government as part of the CAM Pathfinder programme, delivered by the Department for Business and Trade’s CAM team in partnership with Innovate UK and Zenzic.

Programme director at Zenzic, Mark Cracknell, said: “CAM solutions have the potential to unlock new business opportunities and wider economic growth. Through the CAM Pathfinder programme, these feasibility studies will help to articulate the impact that market ready CAM technologies can have in all corners of the country.”

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