CentrePort, the port gateway for New Zealand’s capital city Wellington, is to become the first in the country to go 100% electric with its on-port container transfer vehicles.

A contract has been signed with French company Gaussin to supply seven electric tractor vehicles (and accompanying trailers) which are due to arrive in late May and be operational by July.

The electric tractors and trailers will replace the current system of diesel straddles and tractors. The inbound container transfer system will in future work with the quay cranes loading containers directly onto the new trailers, which will then be moved by the electric tractors for unloading on to the terminal.