Konecranes, a provider of smart port solutions, has announced that it will deliver eight rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), equipped with hybrid power packs, to its long-term customer Port Houston, USA.
The cranes, which are the first hybrid RTGs to be delivered by Konecranes, are expected to arrive at the Barbours Cut Terminal in Q1 2020.
Port Houston, the international port of Texas, currently operates 90 of Konecranes’ diesel-electric RTGs as part of its existing fleet.
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The new hybrid RTGs, which have a Lithium-ion battery pack and advanced battery management system, will boost the eco-efficiency of Houston’s port operations without compromising crane performance.
In addition to this, Konecranes can monitor the status of the RTGs through its Truconnect remote connection, enabling the company to ensure that the fully modular and retrofittable system continues to charge the batteries when necessary.
The RTGs will have a lifting capacity of 50 tons and be equipped with the Active Load Control system, eliminating container sway.
Dr-Ing Armin Wieschemann, Konecranes, discusses automation and electric drives in a recent Port Technology technical paper
They will also be supported by a range of advanced features, including auto-steering, auto-positioning, stack collision prevention and auto-TOS reporting.
Jussi Suhonen, Sales Director at Konecranes Port Solutions for the Americas region, said: “These RTGs will help Port Houston to reach its long-term eco-efficiency goals.
“Konecranes is constantly pushing the limits of battery technology and electrification to make our container handling equipment more eco-efficient without compromising crane performance in any way.
“I’m very pleased that Port Houston has the confidence in our technology to select these advanced RTGs.”