TWO of New Zealand’s major ports are set to procure new electric empty container handlers, in a continued effort towards decarbonisation.
Port of Auckland and Wellington’s CentrePort have each been approved co-funding of NZ$500 000 as part of the latest round of successful applications the Low Emission Transport Fund, managed by New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority.
The funding will be put towards both the electric empty container handlers (EECH) and associated on-port charging infrastructure.
It marks the first time that the Low Emission Transport Fund (LETF) has approved co-funding for EECH’s, which are large, forklift-type pieces of equipment used to move and store empty containers.
The LETF supports the demonstration and adoption of low-emission transport technology, innovation, and infrastructure to accelerate the decarbonisation of the New Zealand transport sector.
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority GM transport Richard Briggs said the co-funding will allow the ports to demonstrate to others around New Zealand, as well as shareholders, how a critical link in the supply chain can be electrified, with safe, reliable technology.
“With no electric ECHs in New Zealand, and only a few in Australia, integrating these pieces of equipment into daily operations will give confidence to the sector as well as help develop zero-emissions supply chains, integrating with other electric-powered equipment and vehicles” Mr Briggs said.
Port of Auckland currently has six diesel empty container handlers. It estimates replacing one of its diesel ECHs with an electric model will reduce the port’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 670,977 kilograms over ten years.
Port of Auckland Limited chief executive officer Roger Gray said that as New Zealand’s largest import port, it wants to help lead the adoption of electric and emissions-free port equipment.
“We’ve had great success with Sparky, the world’s first full-sized electric tugboat, and we’re pleased to see more emissions-free cargo handling options become available. This is a great step forward for the port industry” Mr Gray said.
CentrePort CEO Anthony Delaney said large mobile plant operating in the port’s container terminal and depot accounted for 33 percent of its scope 1 and 2 emissions.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to reduce these emissions with the support of EECA, and as part of our wider systems approach to emissions reduction” Mr Delaney said.
The EECA says NZ$3.3 million has been allocated in LETF Round 13, leveraging NZ$6.7 million in private funding.
Successful applicants include a large-scale bus depot charging system, electric trailer axle technology, electric digger technology, and battery storage rapid EV charging infrastructure.
Funding from the LETF covers up to 50 percent of a project’s costs, up to NZ$500,000.
