Based on a case study WSP (2023), a container terminal with 80% of its equipment operating on diesel can reduce over 30% of its GHG emissions if it switches to a full electric operation.
For electrification of container handling equipment and other port equipment, it is important to not only look at the investment costs and total costs of ownership, but it is also important to regard the electricity grid capacity within port areas. If this is not possible, contact with the electricity network operator is necessary on forehand.
Therefore, automatic container terminals (ACTs) with a higher handling capacity are the future trend of container terminals . ACT has a higher human resources cost advantage than manual container terminals. ACT operators have focused primarily on how to improve revenue rather than how to manage operations.
For instance, terminals can pilot a single electric container handler or trial electric alternatives for some of their lower-capacity equipment before transitioning additional units. While most container terminals typically rely on only five heavy-duty forklifts for every 40 or so container handlers, this equipment can be a good starting point.
Electrifying container port equipment is sometimes directly linked with automation as a combination of electrical equipment and automated operations at ports can bring multiple benefits, such as a
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Learn how terminals are embracing renewable energy, highlighting solar, wind, electrification & grid resilience with LBCT.
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Hydrogen electric container handling equipment is between 67% and 139% more expensive in terms of TCO than their diesel counterparts.
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Connecting a vessel causes events on the grid and operators are not necessarily electricians; the system must assure safety and performance during load transfer without specialist know-how
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Determining whether to pursue grid connection upgrades or implement on-site power generation involves a comprehensive assessment of costs, implementation timelines, and operational
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ABB offers a comprehensive range of power converters and controllers designed for various applications across different industries. These products help customers generate and utilize energy efficiently,
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Implementing electrification is an expensive process, but incentives are available from the federal government, such as the recent Clean Ports Program, which offered $3 billion in funding for
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Beyond pilots, terminals move to stepwise fleet thresholds where operations stabilize and diesel infrastructure can be retired, unlocking further cost and complexity reductions.
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While there is currently a significant cost differential between container handling equipment fueled with diesel and alternatives powered by electric motors, as more electric-powered equipment enters the
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The cost of consumption per month for each resource group can be obtained from the terminal financial database, including operating costs, labor costs, maintenance costs and
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