Powering Net-Zero Ports

While cheaper than hydrogen-electric, battery-electric Container Handling Equipment faces affordability and accessibility challenges which continue to hamper uptake. For example, Original Equipment Manufacturer(OEM) production capacity is low, with long lead times for delivery. Furthermore a lack of standardisation across OEMs is hindering charging infrastructure. 

For Ports, not all markets have a stable and sufficient power supply and some geographies don’t have renewable energy infrastructure. There's also a need for skilled workforce for installation and maintenance.

From a financial perspective, upfront costs are high because of battery price and limited availability, charging infrastructure requires investment and charging downtime means more units of battery-electric equipment are needed than diesel. Battery lifetime can be just 50% of asset lifetime. Current Operational Expenditure (OPEX) savings of more than 50% on energy and 3% on maintenance are insufficient.

But in the analysis carried out for our white paper we believe that with the right actions from stakeholders, battery-electric equipment can become more affordable and accessible than incumbent technology within 2-8 years.

For example:

• Decrease in total cost of ownership of batteries
• Reduced charging downtime
• Standardisation and decoupling
• Increase OEMs production
• Workforce training

Our research shows that battery-electric equipment can quickly become a financially attractive option (well) before 2030. However, this does require immediate action by terminal operators, OEMs of CHE, and public authorities (notably port authorities).