Cenex has announced its participation, in collaboration with the International Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation (iC4DTI), in the Feasibility Studies 2 competition, part of the UK government’s Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder program. The competition supports projects that develop robust, investment‑ready business cases for deploying CAM solutions in near‑commercial environments.
Project TACTIC (Teesside Autonomous Corridor for Trade Integration and Clearance) is a six‑month feasibility study led by iC4DTI with Cenex as the project partner. The project aims to develop an investment‑ready business case for a driver‑out connected automated mobility (CAM) freight service operating along the Teesport–Teesside International Airport corridor within the Teesside Freeport.
Teesside provides a compelling environment to launch at scale, supported by three large, secure estates: Teesside International Airport (~818 acres), Teesworks (~4,500 acres) and Wilton International (~2,000 acres). These sites allow for initial off‑highway deployment, enabling the operator model and remote operations center (ROC) procedures to be proven before potential extension along the A66 corridor.
Nick Davies, director of iC4DTI, said the project is designed to demonstrate how emerging technologies can work together to transform the experience of UK firms looking to start or expand international trade: “If successful, TACTIC will show both industry and government the benefits that can flow from trade digitalization, and how this can contribute to the growth agenda everyone is prioritizing.”
A central focus of the feasibility 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 approach enables 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.
Commercial viability is another key area of assessment. The study will examine whether such a service can operate without a safety driver in Teesside, defining the roles and responsibilities required for safe operation, identifying high‑level technology and control requirements, and setting out the steps needed from regulators and insurers.
As part of the project, Cenex will lead the economic analysis, examining costs, revenue options and the wider benefits of faster, more predictable freight flows. Steve Carroll, head of research and technical services at Cenex, highlighted the importance of this work, noting that “identifying early market opportunities and developing positive business cases is an essential part of accelerating CAM deployments in the UK”.
In parallel, opportunities for the UK supply chain will be identified, including in areas such as secure sensors, connectivity solutions and control software. By demonstrating how trusted digital data can support compliance “in motion”, TACTIC aims to position the UK for a first‑mover advantage in autonomous freight services that are faster, safer and easier to scale.
TACTIC is funded by the UK government as part of the CAM Pathfinder program, delivered by the Department for Business and Trade’s CAM team in partnership with Innovate UK and Zenzic.
Mark Cracknell, program director at Zenzic, commented, “CAM solutions have the potential to unlock new business opportunities and wider economic growth. Through the CAM Pathfinder program, 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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