Antwerp Gateway recently took delivery of 10 of a total of 19 new hybrid straddle carriers at its Deurganck dock facility (quay 1700). The Kalmar machines arrived by ship from the port of Gdynia The second load is expected shortly
DP World Antwerp bought its first eight hybrid straddle carriers in 2017, 15 more in 2018. With the current delivery, the total number of hybrid machines running around Antwerp Gateway is 43, which accounts for 66% of the entire fleet.
“The environmentally friendly Kalmar machines will replace the old diesels in the long term. The hybrids further reduce CO2 emissions per container movement. Antwerp Gateway currently uses 7.5 kg CO2 per container unit (TEU). Our objective is to reduce CO2 emissions by 2% each year,"says Suzanne Kwanten, HSSE director DP World Antwerp.
"For customers who attach importance to the CO2 image of the transport of their products, this is an important sign," says Steve Declercq, DP World Antwerp’s Chief Business Officer. “We are noticing an increase in the role that the footprint of transport plays. DP World Antwerp wants to be a partner.”
Straddle carriers are the main fuel consumers at the terminal, as the STS cranes and ASCs operate on largely locally-produced electricity. The hybrid Kalmar straddle carriers use 40% less fuel and emit a lot less CO2 than traditional machines. The lower fuel consumption is possible because the energy produced when braking or lowering containers is stored in batteries on board. Innovative technology ensures an optimum balance between the diesel engine and the battery power.