The Port of Helsingborg has received its first electrical terminal tractor, while three additional terminal tractors are on order and will arrive in the next weeks. The new terminal tractor will soon be accompanied by the port´s second one that has an estimated delivery within a couple of weeks.
With a minimal environmental impact, the new vehicles follow the strategy of the Swedish port, which has set its strategic goal of being the country's most sustainable port in 2022.
The port received the first of its tractors on 25 May, although the original delivery date was set to be late 2020 or early 2021, it was slightly delayed due to the pandemic and a shortage in supply.
"Similar vehicles of the first generation are currently being used in airports, but I believe we are the first port in Sweden to use electrical terminal tractors," said Bart Steijaert, CEO at the Port of Helsingborg.
The terminal tractors are manufactured by the Dutch company Terberg, specialising in terminal vehicles for ports and airports. This second-generation terminal tractor is equivalent to a conventional diesel tractor in capacity and torque, according to the port's announcement, but one of the most significant advantages besides the reduced environmental impact is a quieter and more ergonomic work environment for staff both driving it and working within its proximity.
Additionally, new fast-charging stations have been developed and installed by ABB to meet the increased utility demand with the new terminal tractors. Simulations of the vehicle’s charging cycles are drafted and are made to logically follow the daily operations schedule and charge when staff is on breaks, said the port in its statement.
In the upcoming days, staff will receive training on the new terminal tractor before coming into production in about two weeks, according to the announcement.
Mats Lundqvist, vehicle technician at the Port of Helsingborg, noted that there will be a need to update its safety processes with the addition of electric vehicles to its fleet. "I also think there will be new and additional requirements needed for the technicians as we transition into a more sustainable environment with electric terminal vehicles. The procedure for our daily check-up of all terminal tractors will also need to be updated," he said.
