18/04/24, 15:10 Myth #3: Automated straddle carrier operations can’t be electrifi | Kalmarglobal

5 January 2024 Reading time 2 minutes

AUTOMATION

Myth #3: Automated straddle

carrier operations can’t be
electrified
In conversations with terminal operators, we often encounter the idea
that whatever other benefits they may offer, automated straddle carrier
terminals are difficult to electrify, and hence are not a viable option for
terminals looking to move to all-electric operation.

As it happens, nothing could be further from the truth. Electrification and

automation go hand in hand, and automated straddle carriers are actually just
as easy to electrify as their manual counterparts. The required technology is
available and has already been proven in real-world use.

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Plug in and go
The main reason that automated straddle carriers are the perfect solution for
all-electric horizontal container transportation is that with Kalmar AutoStrad™,
the charging times are integrated seamlessly into the automated job
scheduling of the machines. In a traditional manually operated straddle carrier
terminal, it's not unusual for the machines to spend over 30% of their time at
idle. At an AutoStrad™ terminal, idle rates will be significantly lower, and any
extra time between container moves can be utilised for charging, as a centrally
controlled fleet of automated machines allows the charging stations to be used
efficiently without queueing.

Kalmar currently offers all-electric options based on two different types of

batteries. The Kalmar electric straddle carrier with high-energy battery is
capable of up to four hours of continuous operation with a charging time of 45
to 50 minutes. As an alternative, the Kalmar electric straddle carrier with high-
power battery (previously known as the Kalmar FastCharge™ straddle carrier),
is capable of up to 50 minutes of continuous operation with a charging time of
only five to six minutes.

The battery technologies are supported by two different charging options that
can be combined flexibly. Both battery technologies support charging the
onboard battery via a pantograph at a FastCharge station. FastCharge
technology is ideal for Kalmar Automated Straddle Carriers, as it automatically
connects the charger to a machine arriving at the charging station. Unlike
fuelling diesel-powered machines, no human interaction is required. A standard
CCS charging interface, compatible with any commercial charging station, is
also available for use by technicians if the AutoStrad™ needs to be parked
outside the automated yard area for a longer period.

Both the high-power and high-energy battery technologies are available for
Kalmar AutoStrad™. The charging times for the electric machines will
necessitate a slightly larger fleet, but the difference is more than offset by the
better efficiency of the automated equipment. Based on running extensive
amount of operation scenarios in digital twin environment, we currently
estimate that an approximately 11% larger fleet will be needed available for
operation for an all-electric AutoStrad™ terminal compared to traditional hybrid
machines fleet.

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Ready for the future

Electrification and automation are the logical next steps for container terminals
around the world, as terminal operators seek to improve both their
sustainability and their performance. The technology for electrifying straddle
carriers is already available and proven in real-world operations, including at
DP World's London Gateway logistics hub which has been piloting the use of
battery-powered straddle carriers with FastCharge charging technology since
2018. Next year, the terminal will take delivery of eight fully electric Kalmar
straddle carriers with the high-energy battery option.

A major benefit of automated straddle carriers is that they can operate flexibly
as a single equipment pool, unlike traditional straddle carrier terminals that are
generally organised with fixed equipment allocations for each quay crane. This
uniform equipment pool helps minimise the operational impact of charging
events, as any machine in the pool can carry out any task. The global
equipment pool also minimises unladen driving, thus improving the energy
efficiency of the operation. With the ability to optimise the usage of each
machine – and with charging breaks integrated seamlessly into the operation –
Kalmar Automated Straddle Carriers use less energy per container move
compared to manual straddle carriers, making them the ideal way of combining
the benefits of electrification and automation.

Your feedback is appreciated

Themes in this article

Automation Straddle Carriers

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Myth #4: Automated yard operations require super advanced quay

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