The cranes are expected to be in operation at Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT) in mid-2023. Specifying battery drives for movements when the cranes’ cable reels cannot be connected to the grid aligns with the port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy.

Multi-purpose operation TAMT needs new harbour equipment with the capacity to handle an expected increase in heavy project cargo and containers while producing no local exhaust emissions.

“Konecranes has provided us with a unique solution that uses proven battery technology in a new way,” said Chairman Dan Malcolm, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “Not only do these cranes have the power to lift the heaviest loads, they are also all-electric, emitting no tailpipe emissions at all with much less noise. This gives us a competitive advantage in the region and it’s great news for our customers, community and the environment as we work towards our goal of zero emissions by 2030.”

All G6 ESP cranes are supplied fully prepared for full electrification, so even if the customer opts for diesel-electric power on delivery, they can be connected to the harbour mains at any time. San Diego has opted for fully-electric power from day 1 and, additionally, has opted for battery packs, which allow extensive traveling time when the cranes are unplugged from the mains.

Konecranes has previously stated that short-term load handling is possible with the battery drive in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected power loss. The battery takes its charge from the mains, but also collects energy from braking and lowering movements for later use. A similar battery-driven crane has been successfully tested in Sweden; this is proven technology.

“Konecranes has been working closely with the Port of San Diego for over 20 years, and we’re delighted that the first all-electric Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 mobile harbor cranes in the Americas will make history as the right solution for the port’s current needs,” said Andreas Moeller, Senior Sales Manager, Port Solutions, Region Americas for Konecranes.

The new cranes will be Gottwald model ESP.9, with a working radius of up to 59m and a maximum lifting capacity of 200 tons. The port has also opted to equip the cranes with Gottwald’s Tandem Lift Assistant. This means they can be used in twin lifting without derating required, so capacity in twin mode is 400 tons.