DP World has confirmed an investment of £12 million (US$15.2 million) in eight new electric straddle carriers that will be used in the new fourth berth at its London Gateway logistics hub.
DP World highlighted that the new machines will be part of the first all-electric fleet in the world to go into commercial operation at a port.
Each straddle carrier, which moves containers handled by the quay cranes and then services onward forms of transport via road and rail, reduces carbon emissions by 54% compared with non-electric models, according to the statement.
This figure is expected to increase over time as London Gateway continues to transition its electricity supply to zero-carbon sources.
Andrew Bowen, UK chief operating officer at DP World, commented, “After three years of successful trials at London Gateway in an operational environment, we are delighted to announce that we have placed a £12m order for eight fully electric straddle carriers to service our new fourth berth. This news represents the culmination of four years of work in partnership with Kalmar, with whom we first converted a hybrid straddle carrier into a fully electric machine in 2019.”
Bowen went on to note, “These straddle carriers are capable of operating for up to four hours without needing to be recharged and when required the battery can be charged in just 45 minutes. This latest investment in green innovation reinforces DP World’s commitment to mitigating the impacts of climate change by becoming a net zero logistics organisation by 2050.”
The straddle carriers are anticipated to go into service next summer on completion of London Gateway’s new fourth berth, where all major equipment is expected to be electric.
The investment represents the latest in a series of similar projects which DP World has announced to help green the UK supply chain, with its Southampton logistics hub reporting its most sustainable year ever in 2022 after eliminating fossil diesel from its operations entirely and transitioning to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
