Port of Tauranga will trial the country’s first ever all-electric container straddle carrier at New Zealand’s busiest port.
The trial, co-funded by the Government’s Low Emission Transport Fund administered by EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), will see the Port purchase a Kalmar electric straddle and install charging infrastructure in a project costing more than $3.5 million. EECA will contribute $447,000 to the project to accelerate its implementation.
Port of Tauranga Chief Executive, Leonard Sampson, said the trial would enable the Port to test emerging technology in the high-demand environment of New Zealand’s international hub port.
“Diesel use in straddles is our largest source of carbon emissions, contributing around 54% of our Scope 1 emissions. Until now, we have only had the option of hybrid straddles as a lower emission alternative,” he said.
“The support of EECA makes it feasible for us to test the rapidly-developing electric straddle technology in a New Zealand port context.”
The trial will evaluate operational impacts, charging times, driver amenability and training requirements, reliability, safety and maintenance requirements. Findings will be shared with other New Zealand ports that have straddle carrier fleets.
“We hope the trial will give us confidence in operational efficacy, emissions reduction and technology reliability. It de-risks the implementation of new technology currently untested in New Zealand,” said Mr Sampson.
“Providing port assets and infrastructure consistent with a low emissions supply chain contributes to keeping New Zealand exports competitive internationally.”
Port of Tauranga currently operates a fleet of 54 straddle carriers, around a third of the New Zealand port fleet. Seven are hybrid models, introduced since 2020 following a pilot. The hybrids are around 25% more fuel efficient than the Port’s older diesel-electric models.
The electric straddle trial, if successful, could lead to the rollout of electric straddles in the Port’s purchase and retirement programme. The Port estimates a full rollout could see an absolute reduction in combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions of approximately 43% on today’s emissions.
The trial of the electric straddle carrier and associated charging infrastructure will go live in late 2027.
EECA’s investment has come through round 15 of its Low Emission Transport Fund: https://www.eeca.govt.nz/co-funding-and-support/products/let-ports/
For more information, please contact:
Rochelle Lockley
GM Communications
021 285 884
