Konecranes Now Offers Battery-Driven Large Container Handling Machines

A "battery megatrend” has been gathering force for years on a global scale, first in electronic devices with the maturing of Li-ion battery technology and then in large devices such as automobiles.

It’s part of a huge global effort to increase sustainability and reduce CO2 emissions. Konecranes is doing its part in the container handling industry, taking the lead as a container handling equipment and service supplier.

Konecranes is now offering large container handling machines that are battery-driven: Konecranes Battery RTG, Battery Konecranes Noell Straddle Carrier, and all-electric Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Cranes.

This is the next step in the evolution of Ecolifting, from Konecranes.

"We now offer the Konecranes RTG with battery power in addition to the cable reel and busbar electric power options. The Konecranes Battery RTG can be thought of as part of a system when it is operated with a charging station," the company stated.

"This will always be the case when the Konecranes Battery RTG is automated. It can also be operated manually, with manual plug-in for charging. This is an easy-entry battery solution for e.g. intermodal terminals."

This brings new flexibility and “no strings” electric operation to RTG-based container yards of all ages and configurations, as well as zero local CO2 emissions and virtually zero local noise emissions.

Konecranes Lifts Orders from Gulftainer, Port of Wilmington

Combine this with the fact that the Konecranes Battery RTG is delivered in a carbon neutral state, and you are looking at the most eco-efficient RTG in history.

Battery Konecranes Noell Straddle Carrier

We also now offer the Battery Konecranes Noell Straddle Carrier as a system, complete with charging station. There is no performance compromise: the battery straddle carrier can be built into your work cycles and operating structure in a variety of ways.

Similar Li-ion battery technology is used as in Konecranes Gottwald AGVs, from which a large body of field experience has been drawn in terms of 24/7 operation and battery lifetime. Confidently consider the Battery Konecranes Noell Straddle Carrier for your straddle carrier operations.

Electric experience

Konecranes started the battery trend in container handling equipment with the introduction of a battery-driven Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) some 15 years ago. The battery AGV earned acceptance and became established in large fleets at major container terminals.

Meanwhile, a transition from lead-acid to Li-ion battery technology occurred, a major leap forward. Over the years, Konecranes has accumulated a large body of knowledge about batteries and electric power management.

This knowledge has been used to introduce battery AGVs, hybrid RTGs, hybrid straddle carriers and a battery-driven forklift truck, the E-VER. Now is the time for battery-driven, large container handling machines.

When all-electric machines are charged with renewable energy, we call it “pure electric” since it’s the purest form of container handling to date.

Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 All-Electric Mobile Harbor Cranes

In June of last year, Konecranes introduced Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Cranes (MHCs). It has been enthusiastically received by the market, especially the modular drive system.

This includes the all-electric drive, combining an external power supply with an innovative battery drive. The world’s first all-electric Konecranes Gottwald MHC with battery drive is already working hard at the Port of Skellefteå in Sweden.

It is helping to supply an ultramodern battery factory in the town of Skellefteå. In addition, two all-electric Konecranes Gottwald ESP.9 MHCs, each with 200 t maximum lifting capacity, will enter operation at the Port of San Diego, USA, in spring 2023.

Read More: Konecranes Reveals UAE Port Order