Green straddle carriers

Kalmar will deliver 10 hybrid straddle carriers and 19 diesel-electric straddle carriers to the Port of Antwerp-based MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET), a joint venture between PSA and Terminal Investment Limited (TIL). The company will also deliver five hybrid straddle carriers to the Port of Antwerp-based PSA Antwerp, which operates the Noordzee and Europa Terminals, and MPET.

Harold Kunst, CEO at MPET, says: “We chose Kalmar Straddle Carriers to replace our older equipment due to the eco-efficiency potential, high-quality products and excellent local service capabilities. As a straddle carrier terminal, we trust that the new-generation equipment will help us improve our operational performance, and the hybrids, in particular, will help reduce the carbon footprint of our operations.”

Cameron Thorpe, CEO of PSA Antwerp, added: “Global warming means we must act: to continue with our terminal decarbonisation we are setting-up various pilots around electrification and hydrogen within the framework of our Green Straddle Carrier Program.”

Investing in green equipment

As the largest container handlers in the port of Antwerp, MPET and PSA Antwerp are focusing their climate efforts on four key areas: greenhouse gases & air quality, renewable energy, water conservation and waste reduction.

MPET and PSA Antwerp’s carbon emissions are produced mainly from diesel-operated equipment such as straddle carriers, terminal tractors and other terminal vehicles. To decarbonise their heavy-duty logistics, the companies are investing in greener equipment.

The purchase of 15 hybrid straddle carriers by the two terminal operators will help to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 15% versus conventional diesel machines, equivalent to around 600t per year. This is a transitional solution towards greener operations.

Deliveries are scheduled for Q3 2022.