Cavotec and EVIAS expand port electrification

Cavotec and EVIAS have signed an exclusive distribution agreement to bring automatic ground-based charging technology to ports, targeting the electrification of horizontal transport.

Under the agreement, Cavotec will be EVIAS’s exclusive distributor and installer for the port segment globally. The technology will be commercialised under the ‘Cavotec powered by EVIAS’ co-branding, extending Cavotec’s existing electrification portfolio beyond cranes and vessels into terminal operations.

“EVIAS’s fully automatic charging technology fits naturally into the demanding operational environments of our port customers,” said David Pagels, chief executive of Cavotec.

“This partnership enables us to expand our offering into horizontal transport and provide customers with an increasingly integrated approach to port electrification.”

The partnership comes as container terminals face growing pressure to decarbonise operations while maintaining productivity. The Zero Emission Port Alliance estimates that between 33,000 and 47,000 new battery-electric container-handling vehicles will be ordered between 2025 and 2035.

EVIAS’s conductive charging system is designed for intensive fleet operations. A robotic arm mounted on the vehicle autonomously locates and connects to a charging rail embedded in the road. This allows vehicles to charge while driving or while waiting for containers to be loaded, reducing downtime and the need for dedicated charging areas.

The system’s modular design is also intended to support integration with existing port infrastructure. Only the rail segment directly beneath a charging vehicle is electrified, a feature designed to improve safety while enabling dynamic charging across busy terminal environments.

The technology can be used for terminal tractors, automated guided vehicles and other intra-port container-handling equipment. Cavotec said the solution complements its existing automation technologies, including MoorMaster automated vacuum mooring and automated plug-in systems for rubber-tyred gantry cranes.

“Partnering with Cavotec is more than a distribution agreement—it is a strong validation of the maturity and reliability of our technology,” said Olivier Besson, co-founder and chief executive of EVIAS.