Press Release 25 Jul 2017

First Konecranes Hybrid Reach Stacker goes into operation

Duisburg, 25 July 2017 – In May 2017 the Duisburg Intermodal Terminal (DIT) put a hybrid reach stacker by Konecranes into operation. Apart from the prototype, which has been operating in Helsingborg for four years now, this is only the second Konecranes hybrid reach stacker in operation worldwide. A third will shortly be delivered to the Contargo Terminal in Emmelsum. DIT expects this machine to reduce both CO₂ emissions and costs.

The heavy-load stacker by Konecranes has a lifting capacity of 45 metric tons and consumes at least 30 percent less fuel than a comparable diesel-driven model in normal operation. “We decided in favour of this  machine because it will help to bring us nearer to our sustainability goal of reducing our CO₂ emissions by ten percent by 2020”, says Bernd Putens, Managing Director of Duisburg Intermodal Terminal. “We are expecting the machine to perform just as well as diesel-driven reach stackers. Indeed, we expect substantial cost savings in the medium term due to longer maintenance intervals and fewer downtimes.”

Regenerative electric motors

In 2013, Konecranes developed the first hybrid reach stacker in the world. The SMV 4531 TB5 HLT now in operation at Contargo has a drive consisting of a diesel engine, an electrical generator and an electric motor for driving. The diesel engine has an engine power of 230 kW and runs at a maximum speed of 1,800 rpm in the optimal consumption range.

The regenerative electric motors provide the power for the drive and the lift system. Braking energy and load lowering energy are fed back into the system and stored for later use, which cuts fuel consumption and substantially reduces the burden on the environment.

The hydraulic pumps of the Hybrid Reach Stacker are electrically driven and electronically controlled. The speed of the pumps, which supply hydraulic energy for lifting and steering, can be controlled independently of the speed of the diesel engine. This enables a much faster response at maximum performance requirement, as well as a lower noise level when the Hybrid Reach Stacker is in driving mode.

At the forefront in resource conservation

At the Duisburg Intermodal Terminal, which is part of the Contargo Group, 10,000 TEU can be stored. The trimodal terminal has two berths for barges and six railway sidings. Four container cranes and seven mobile machines are available for handling. And there is also no lack of sustainable ideas:

Thus, for instance, smaller reach stackers that consume less fuel are used to handle empty containers. And in order to save energy, all vehicles have an automatic cut-off at 21 km/h. The gripper arms of the reach stackers and the portal cranes have also been equipped with an automatic cut-off to prevent strong, energy-intensive acceleration and braking.

In addition, container positions have been optimised so that the whole portal crane does not have to be moved, but as often as possible only the trolley. The crane operators have received training on how to save energy in operation.

The office building, too, has been included in energy saving measures. An LED lighting system has been introduced there, and movement-activated sensors have been installed in some areas to ensure that lights are not left on unnecessarily. The times at which the floodlighting of the terminal is activated are automatically adjusted to the time of year.

About Contargo

With an annual transport volume of 2.3 million TEU, Contargo is one of the largest container logistics networks in Europe. Contargo integrates container transport between the western seaports, the German North Sea ports and the European hinterland. The enterprise has 25 container terminals at its disposal in Germany, France, Switzerland and the Czech Republic and maintains offices at seven additional locations in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Contargo also operates its own barge and rail lines. In 2016 the workforce of 903 employees achieved a turnover of 415 million Euro.

About Konecranes

Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards and ports. It provides innovative lifting solutions that increase productivity, as well as tailored services covering all aspects of lifting equipment. Konecranes has 18,000 employees working at 600 locations in 50 countries. Konecranes Class A shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange (Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd) under the symbol KCR1V.

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Contact at Contargo: Heinrich Kerstgens, Contargo GmbH & Co. KG, Rheinkaistrasse 2, 68159 Mannheim, Tel.: +49 621 59007 184, hkerstgens@contargo.net