Port of Virginia orders 18 eco-friendly hybrid shuttle carriers

The US East Coast Port of Virginia has ordered eighteen eco-efficient hybrid shuttle carriers from Cargotec’s Kalmar with full delivery of the machines scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2022.

Fifteen units will be delivered to Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) and three to Virginia International Gateway (VIG) which are the port’s primary container terminals and each is capable of handling the biggest vessels in the Atlantic trade, says Kalmar.

With this order delivered, the Port of Virginia will have altogether 92 Kalmar hybrid shuttle carriers in operation at their terminals in addition to the diesel-hydraulic Kalmar shuttles from the terminal’s original grand opening in 2007.

According to Kalmar, which has been delivering hybrid shuttle carriers for the Port of Virginia since August 2015, this is their fifth consecutive order of eco-efficient hybrid shuttle carriers with previous corresponding orders dating back to 2017. 

Kalmar has also provided the port with support and servicing and a comprehensive, local parts inventory. 

“We have been pleased with our fruitful and close partnership with Kalmar. Their innovative hybrid technology helps us cut fuel consumption, reduce emissions, increase operator comfort, and improve the overall sustainability of our operations,” says Rich Ceci, Sr. Vice President of Technology and Projects, Port of Virginia.

On 30 August Kalmar also inked a deal with Dublin Ferryport Terminals (DFT) for extension of the Kalmar AutoRTG system at the terminal with five new AutoRTG cranes over the next 2 years. The delivery of the first machines is scheduled to be completed during the first quarter of 2022.