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From diesel to electric on the Tees

[ December 2, 2021   //   ]

PD Ports, owner and operator of Teesport has contracted Konecranes to convert the primary power supply of four diesel rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) to electric to cut carbon emissions.

It is the first phase of a wider electrification process, totalling over £2 million of investment by PD Ports, to convert 70% of the RTG fleet to electric as part of a programme to reach carbon-neutrality on the Tees by 2027.

The process, which will be carried out by Konecranes, involves the removal of all diesel components. This will completely eliminate the consumption of diesel fuel, instead allowing the equipment to run wholly on electric – significantly reducing carbon emissions and noise pollution as well as lowering maintenance requirements.

Each RTG will take an average of three weeks to covert and the project, which will also extend the lifespan of the equipment by a decade, is due for completion in early 2022. During the retrofit, Konecranes will also install fibre optics enabling continuous upgrades and access to enhanced features, such as remote operation.

PD Ports chief executive Frans Calje, said: “PD Ports is a key piece of national infrastructure and as the Statutory Harbour Authority for the River Tees, we have a duty to ensure that we continuously work to reduce our impact on the environment throughout our operations. As long-standing partners of Konecranes, we are very much looking forward to working with them on this project and delivering on our commitment to developing clean, sustainable port technology.”

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