Port of Tauranga has announced it 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 NZD $3.5 million ($2.1 million).
EECA will contribute NZD $447,000 ($270,265) 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 per cent of our Scope 1 emissions. Until now, we have only had the option of hybrid straddles as a lower emission alternative,” Sampson 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, as well as 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,” Sampson continued.
“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 per cent 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 per cent on today’s emissions.
The trial of the electric straddle carrier and associated charging infrastructure will go live in late 2027.
