Port Houston unveils arrival of hybrid RTGs for Barbours Cut Terminal

The bustling waterfront of Port Houston witnessed a captivating sight as the Paleisgracht cargo vessel arrived on Tuesday afternoon, March 5, bearing the much-anticipated cargo of 7 hybrid-electric rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes for the Barbours Cut Container Terminal.

The Port Houston ordered 14 hybrid Konecranes RTGs for the Barbours Cut Container Terminal in October 2022, alongside an additional 12 for the Bayport Container Terminal. The decision was aimed at fortifying the port’s infrastructure to accommodate larger container ships and increased traffic.

The deliveries started in the last half of 2023 and are set to continue until mid-2024.

Building upon this momentum, Port Houston returned to Konecranes in September 2023 with the order for 5 more Konecranes hybrid RTGs for Barbours Cut. Konecranes said at the time that the cranes would be delivered at the beginning of 2025.

The latest delivery will bolster the Barbours Cut’s RTG fleet to 64 units, according to the port.

The Paleisgracht general cargo vessel arrived yesterday afternoon to Barbours Cut Container Terminal with a delivery of 7 hybrid-electric rubber-tired gantry cranes. These RTG cranes will support operations at Barbours Cut, making its fleet of RTGs a total of 64. pic.twitter.com/NRm0Xo6MLh

— Port Houston (@Port_Houston) March 6, 2024

The RTGs have a lifting capacity of 50 tons while stacking containers 1-over-5 high and 6 plus truck lane wide. They are equipped with the Active Load Control system, which eliminates container sway. They also include smart features such as auto-steering, stack collision prevention and truck lift prevention.

The hybrid RTGs are fitted with Li-ion battery technology accompanied by a battery management system that monitors the charge level and general health of the batteries. Konecranes has the capability to oversee the status of this system through the TRUCONNECT® remote connection.

According to Konecranes, the hybrid power system is completely modular and retrofittable, and it includes a Tier 4f diesel engine that will charge the batteries as needed.

Separately, the port welcomed three new neo-Panamax ship-to-shore (STS) cranes intended for its Bayport Container Terminal in July 2023.

These particular cranes are 158 feet (48 meters) tall under the spreader bar and have an outreach of 22 containers wide. They are equipped with complete electric motors, gears, and control systems, thus emitting zero diesel emissions and aligning with Port Houston’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

The STS cranes are intended for Bayport’s Wharf 6, equipping Bayport terminal to handle the 15,000 TEU ships expected to call upon the completion of the Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11 set for the end of 2024.