Zero Emission Port Alliance (ZEPA) marked its two-year milestone by moving from research to delivery, launching updated Voluntary Standards, a step-by-step Transition Plan, and a Load Profile Explorer to support adoption of battery-electric container handling equipment (BE-CHE).
The materials were made public to guide ports, OEMs, and terminal operators in scaling electric equipment.
All materials were made publicly available to guide ports, OEMs, and terminal operators in deploying electric equipment at scale.
In 2025, ZEPA comprised 14 members, including Ampcontrol, APM Terminals, DP World, Embotech, InductEV, Kalmar, Kempower, Patrick Terminals, Port of Aarhus, Port of Rotterdam, PSA Antwerp, Rocsys, and Sany, with the secretariat hosted by Systemiq.
The alliance planned to expand its membership in 2026 while focusing on operational showcases to demonstrate that BE-CHE was “the new industry normal.”
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The updated Voluntary Standards reduced fragmentation in charging and battery design, improving affordability, interoperability, and investment readiness for OEMs and terminal procurement.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) assessments indicated BE-CHE, particularly terminal tractors, was approaching parity with diesel equivalents in some regions.
The Load Profile Explorer allowed terminals and grid operators to manage charging demand and avoid costly grid upgrades, with over 250 industry professionals having tested the tool.
ZEPA’s reports on battery fire safety, workforce reskilling, and battery circularity offered practical guidance for safe and sustainable deployment.
Key findings included:
- Fire safety: Battery fires occurred less frequently than diesel but required updated safety protocols.
- Workforce reskilling: Transitioning to electric equipment demanded electrical and digital skills, with a clear roadmap for training and capability development.
- Battery circularity: End-of-life battery handling posed low economic but higher logistical and compliance risks, requiring practical management strategies.
ZEPA’s 2026 priorities included accelerating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), scaling shore power solutions, and providing circular lifecycle insights to further embed BE-CHE in port operations.
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Jesse Makkonen, Head of Marine and Ports at Kempower, said: “Electrification is a massive step for the port industry. Ensuring a smooth transition requires close collaboration between port operators, machine OEMs, and charger manufacturers. ZEPA has helped bring these stakeholders together and is building tools and strategies to accelerate port electrification.”
Marko Hopeaharju, Head of HT Solutions at Kalmar, added: “Our 2025 ZEPA collaboration focused on developing voluntary standards, charging strategies, and TCO for Straddle Carriers. We will continue supporting terminal operators in their electrification journey during 2026 and beyond.”
Crijn Bouman, CEO at Rocsys, commented: “The transition to zero-emission equipment is accelerating. Standardising charging solutions is essential to scale reliable electric operations. ZEPA members have successfully combined expertise to achieve this goal.”
For more information:
Zero Emission Port Alliance (ZEPA) – https://www.zepalliance.com/
