Posted on October 11, 2022
Finnish company Konecranes has received an order from Port Houston in Texas, US, for the supply of 26 hybrid rubber tire gantry cranes (RTGs).
Under the contract, Konecranes will deliver 14 hybrid RTGs to Port Houston’s Barbours Cut Container Terminal, as well as 12 hybrid RTGs to the port’s Bayport Container Terminal.
The cranes will help Port Houston to receive larger container ships and higher volumes of container traffic.
Konecranes will start delivery of the cranes in the second half of next year, continuing into the middle of 2024.
The hybrid Konecranes RTGs come with advanced Li-ion battery technology as well as a battery management system to monitor the charge level and general health of the batteries.
By using the TRUCONNECTremote connection, the status of this system can be monitored by Konecranes.
The modular and retrofittable hybrid power system features an eco-efficient Tier 4f diesel engine, which charges the batteries when needed.
Featuring an active load control system, the RTGs can lift up to 50 tons and stack containers one-over-five high as well as six plus truck lane wide. Its other smart features include auto-steering, stack collision prevention and truck lift prevention.
The current order is part of Port Houston’s investment programme. It presently has 90 diesel Konecranes RTGs and 26 hybrid Konecranes RTGs across the two terminals.
Konecranes port solutions regional sales vice-president Jussi Suhonen said: “Port Houston is forging ahead in both productivity and container crane eco-efficiency. Hybrid Konecranes RTGs have a proven track record, and this new order from Port Houston exemplifies this.”
Last month, Konecranes won an order from Spinelli Group to deliver a new Generation 6 crane for use at the latter’s terminal in Genoa, north-western Italy.
