Kalmar, part of Cargotec, will supply a total of ten new Kalmar Hybrid Straddle Carriers to Patrick Terminals in Melbourne. The significant order was booked in Cargotec’s 2023 Q3 order intake, with delivery of the machines scheduled to be completed during Q1 of 2024.

Patrick Terminals is Australia’s leading container terminal operator, handling over three million TEUs annually. The company operates some of Australia’s most technologically advanced terminals at four strategically located ports: Brisbane AutoStrad Terminal, Sydney AutoStrad Terminal, Melbourne Terminal, and Fremantle Terminal in Western Australia.

Michael Jovicic, CEO, Patrick Terminals: “We are proud to be the first container terminal operator in Australia to invest in the Kalmar hybrid straddles and set new benchmarks for more environmentally friendly container handling. As a leader in the industry, we understand the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and promoting environmentally responsible practices. Together with our trusted partner, Kalmar, we have a shared dedication to building a more sustainable industry. By investing in these hybrid straddles, we are making a strong commitment towards our decarbonisation journey.”

Allan Baker, Sales Director APAC Horizontal Transportation, Kalmar: “Kalmar is very pleased to continue the excellent collaboration with Patrick Terminals. We are delighted with the order of the first ten hybrid straddle carriers for Patrick Terminals, Melbourne. The hybrid straddles, which can cut fuel consumption by up to 40% compared to equivalent diesel-powered machines, will play an important role in supporting Patrick Terminals with their decarbonisation strategy.”

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has signed an agreement with Australian heavy-equipment distributor AJL Group Pty Ltd to supply 18 heavy terminal tractors to TT-Line Company Pty. The large order, which also includes a 12-month subscription to the Kalmar Insight performance management tool, was booked in Cargotec’s Q2 order intake. Delivery of the machines will take place in batches during Q1 and Q2 2024.

TT-Line is a state-owned company operating the Spirit of Tasmania ferry service between Geelong on the Australian mainland and Devonport on Tasmania’s North West coast. Employing more than 600 staff and transporting more than 430,000 passengers annually, Spirit of Tasmania is widely recognised for its contribution to the Australian tourism industry and for fostering Australia’s economic development through the provision of a world-class passenger and freight service.

The machines supplied will feature low-emission Tier 5 engines and a specialised attachment system for use with Novatech Trestles, which enable fast, safe and secure lashing of semi-trailers to vessel decks.

Andrew Lawson, Chief executive officer, AJL: “AJL is a strategic partner for our customers, offering services across five business areas: heavy equipment, rental equipment, marine services, training and lifestyle. We are a long-term maintenance service provider for Kalmar equipment operated by TT-Line. TT-Line was looking after replacing an ageing Kalmar fleet and the new equipment will improve safety, uptime and eco-efficiency in their cargo-handling processes.”

Peter Trevitt, Solution Sales Manager, Kalmar Australia: “AJL is a highly experienced and competent solutions provider for Kalmar equipment and we are delighted that the TT-Line have chosen to replace their existing fleet with the latest generation of eco-efficient Kalmar heavy duty terminal tractors.”

The Government of Spain, via the Moves Singular Projects II Programme, has granted 3.9 million euros to APM Terminals Barcelona to finance part of a pilot project for the electrification of the container handling equipment operating at the terminal, which is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 821 tonnes per year.

This world-first, innovative solution, is being developed in collaboration with its suppliers. It will include the acquisition of five zero-emission electric Straddle Carriers, four recharging stations, civil and electrical works, the IT network and the development of programmes and processes to implement the technology required for operations and recharging of the machinery. The aim is to provide greater understanding of the technical and economic viability of this emission-reducing project, optimise processes and investigate its scalability to other terminals where cargo is handled with similar machinery.

The Port of Barcelona acknowledged the project as essential to making progress in achieving the environmental objectives of the port and the city.

“At APM Terminals we are committed to reducing CO2 emissions and we will spare no effort in meeting our 2030 goals. For us it is very important that this is done in a collaborative way with the governments of the countries where we operate. If there is anything that definitely belongs to all of us, it is our planet,” said Carlos Arias, general manager of APM Terminals Spanish Gateways.

In addition to lower noise levels and improved air quality due to zero emissions – in line with APM Terminals’ overall objective to reduce CO2 emissions by 70% by 2030 and achieve CO2 neutrality by 2040. The project is also expected to bring benefits in terms of equipment availability, improved maintenance processes and the creation of a cleaner and safer working environment by significantly reducing the use of oil in daily operations and waste generation.

Renewable electricity

As well as the fact that the new electric Straddle Carriers are zero-emission, the electricity contracted by the terminal comes exclusively from renewable sources. This has been the case since 2018, and will continue to be so until at least 2032, according to the latest agreement reached with the distributor, in line with the company’s decarbonisation strategy.

APM Terminals is also working on machinery electrification pilot projects at other terminals to deliver clean, future-proofed facilities and end-to-end decarbonised supply chains, together with local and global partners, with an investment of $60 million. The Barcelona project is pioneering by winning the support of the Moves Singular Projects II Programme for Efficient and Sustainable Mobility, launched as part of the Spanish Government’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, and is financed by NextGenerationEU funds from the European Union. The cranes are expected to arrive in Barcelona during the third quarter of 2024, with testing to take place until the second quarter of 2025.