SUNDERLAND, UK, 5th August 2025 – The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), the Port of Tyne, autonomous vehicle technology provider, Oxa, and cybersecurity provider, ANGOKA, are among the organisations to have secured Government funding to help develop and deploy world-leading Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) solutions in the UK.
Through the CAM Pathfinder – Enhancements programme, the NEAA and a consortium of partners will deliver P-CAL (Port-Connected and Automated Logistics), a pioneering project set to demonstrate autonomous container transport at the Port of Tyne.
The CAM Pathfinder – Enhancements programme is funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), a joint unit between the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Transport (DfT), delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and Zenzic.
The programme is part of the £150 million CAM Pathfinder initiative announced in the UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, which aims to address the complexities in commercialising CAM vehicles, to support and grow the UK’s CAM supply chain and ready the market for CAM services, enhancing both investment and export opportunities.
Building on the success of the 5G CAL and V-CAL initiatives previously supported by UK Government, P-CAL marks a significant leap forward in connected and automated logistics for UK ports.
This multi-million-pound initiative will deploy a fully autonomous terminal tractor and secure mesh communication network to move containers between the dockside and the container compound, creating a UK first in waterside port automation.
P-CAL operates within a new and complex Operational Design Domain (ODD), tackling the challenges of a high-traffic, dynamic quayside environment. These include real-time coordination with cranes, seamless integration with Terminal Operating Systems and robust cybersecurity for safe, remote operations.
The project is being delivered by the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), the Port of Tyne, Oxa, Nissan, Newcastle University, ANGOKA, Vantec Europe, BP and Womble Bond Dickinson, bringing together deep expertise in automation, cybersecurity, logistics, and legal compliance.
Paul Butler, CEO at the NEAA, said: “P-CAL addresses the unique demands of quayside operations, where vehicles must coordinate precisely with cranes and navigate a constantly changing environment.
“This moves beyond our previous work into a completely new operational setting. With a focus on innovation, collaboration and environmental responsibility, this project will showcase the future of freight logistics.”
Running over nine months, the project aims to demonstrate a scalable, safe, and commercially viable autonomous logistics solution that supports the UK’s Net Zero goals while enhancing efficiency and safety. It is expected to reduce costs, create skilled jobs and lay the groundwork for wider adoption of autonomous logistics across UK ports and distribution centres.
Gavin Jackson, CEO at Oxa, said: “The P-CAL project is a prime example of Industrial Mobility Automation in action. What we’re showcasing here – safely automating complex container movements in a dynamic port environment – will act as a blueprint for port terminals in the UK and beyond. We believe this initiative offers a compelling vision for how autonomous technology will continue to optimise logistics – enhancing reliability and efficiency and improving operational safety globally.”
Matt Beeton, CEO at the Port of Tyne, said: “The P-CAL project cements the North East’s position as a driving force in industrial innovation. By deploying autonomous logistics in a live port environment, we’re not only enhancing safety and operational performance, but we are also shaping the future of the sector.
“We’re proud that the Port of Tyne is leading the work with our key partners and proving what’s possible for ports across the UK and beyond.”
Shadi AR, CTO at ANGOKA, said: “We are excited about the advances the P-CAL project will introduce to the world of Industrial Mobility Automation. ANGOKA will be showcasing the world’s first-of-its-kind purpose-built quantum safe and secure digital infrastructure and mesh communication network for industrial and logistic automation.
“P-CAL will pioneer cost-effective, sustainable, and cyber-resilient industrial and logistics automation within ports and industrial parks.”
Mark Cracknell, Programme Director at Zenzic, said: “It’s fantastic to see industry and government working together to ensure the UK is best placed to seize the CAM opportunity.
“From aviation to logistics and public transport, the programme will provide the funding and support required to help some of the nation’s brightest minds develop the technologies that will cement CAM as one of the industries of the future, creating high-skilled jobs and providing a major boost to the UK economy.”
ENDS
About NEAA
Since its launch in 2015, the North East Automotive Alliance has been driving innovation and growth in the North East automotive sector. As a collaborative industry-led cluster, it is dedicated to fostering a competitive and sustainable environment for businesses and creating a cohesive network that thrives on collaboration and trust.
Distinguished as one of the fastest-growing clusters in Europe, the NEAA is on a mission to elevate the North East as a prominent global automotive and electrification hub. Whether companies are engaged in car manufacturing, producing components, delivering services, or advancing electrification technologies, the NEAA stands ready to champion their endeavours. Since its formation, the NEAA has been involved in the delivery of £33m of publicly funded projects to support innovation and business growth.
About Port of Tyne
The Port of Tyne is one of the UK’s major deep-sea ports – delivering bespoke solutions for the green energy sector, supporting world leaders in the automotive transition, handling specialised bulk and containerised products, alongside delivery logistics, and assisting growing passenger numbers via the regionally important International Passenger Terminal.
Overall, the Port of Tyne adds £658 million to the North East economy, supporting 10,400 jobs directly and indirectly and, as one of the UK’s largest trust ports, is entirely self-financing and runs on a commercial basis, reinvesting all its profits back into facilities along the River Tyne for the benefit of the North East and all its stakeholders.
For more information about the Port of Tyne visit www.portoftyne.co.uk.
About Oxa
Founded in 2014, Oxa is a global leader in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology for industrial and commercial fleets, enabling safe, efficient and reliable operations. Oxa is focused on the most commercially viable sectors for AVs and where the world needs autonomy most, today: Industrial Logistics, Asset Monitoring and Shared Passenger Transportation. These target markets sit within a category known as Industrial Mobility Automation (IMA).
At the heart of Oxa’s offering is Oxa Driver, a common core embodied AI system designed to be the world’s first universal driver. Highly explainable and globally adaptable, it possesses the foundational skills to drive anywhere, both on and off-highway, in all conditions – and accretes skills to be a ‘local expert’ in specific places, for specific use cases. Oxa employs a novel generative AI approach to train and assure Oxa Driver ‘hyperlocally’ which minimises source data requirements and accelerates the scaling of self-driving operations. For more information, visit oxa.tech.
About Vantec Europe
Vantec Europe Limited have provided third party logistics (3PL), warehousing and supply chain management services to the automotive sector since 1990. Since then, Vantec has grown organically and developed its range of services to become a preferred 3PL provider, with 13 operations in the UK and a key customer base including in the automotive and premium vehicles; construction equipment; lighting; electric battery and offshore renewable energy industries.
Vantec Europe are also a partner in the pioneering V-CAL (Connected and Automated Logistics) project. This will build upon the Department for Digital Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) funded 5G CAL project, which successfully delivered a working proof-of-concept (PoC) demonstration of the UK’s first autonomous HGV in June 2022.
They have launched the Vantec Interactive Experience (VIE) which uses gamification and the latest in 3D, immersive and simulation technology, to provide unique, engaging, and intuitive training solutions, replicating real-life environments and scenarios.
About ANGOKA
ANGOKA is an IoT security company focused on protecting machine-to-machine communications for Smart Cities and Mobility. Headquartered in Belfast, with offices in London and The Hague, ANGOKA offers high-assurance cybersecurity solutions that protect critical systems of connected devices. An increasing number of connected devices are used for managing and operating our Smart Cities, and to ensure their safety and resilience, securing the device communication becomes paramount. ANGOKA creates trust where no trust can be assumed.