Port operator APM Terminals and battery manufacturer CATL want to jointly develop battery-electric container technology. The Dutch port specialist expects this to offer further electrification potential for its global terminal network.
Both parties are entering into a strategic partnership to integrate CATL’s battery technologies into the Dutch company’s port logistics. For example, the Chinese group will provide batteries and system solutions that will be installed in container handling equipment. In this way, APM Terminals intends to use more electric terminal tractor units in future, for example.
CATL and APM Terminals are already cooperating in the Zero Emission Port Alliance (ZEPA), whose members also aim to reduce emissions in ports worldwide. The cooperation between the two partners, which is now also being stepped up bilaterally, “covers the full lifecycle of the batteries, from the development of advanced battery products to after-sales support and battery recycling,” according to an accompanying press release. One of the pilot terminals is the Aqaba Container Terminal in Jordan, where the first CATL technology is already being used to electrify port logistics.
APM Terminals currently has more than 60 terminals in operation or under development worldwide. At the same time, the company is aiming to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040. Those responsible want to achieve this by “deploying battery-electric equipment powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, while also reducing energy consumption through more efficient operations, shorter dwell times and energy-efficient buildings.”
APM Terminals has already become active at the Maasvlakte II container terminal in the port of Rotterdam. The company will soon be testing a robotic charging solution from manufacturer Rocsys to supply 30 automated terminal lorries with electricity. The latter will be provided by the Dutch specialised vehicle manufacturer Terberg in cooperation with Embotech, a provider of technologies for autonomous vehicles.
Those responsible have the following to say about the cooperation with CATL that has now been put on track: “We’re happy to extend our strong partnership with CATL through this strategic agreement, which supports our aim to decarbonise terminal operations with battery-electric container handling equipment,” said Grant Morrison, Head of Global Asset Category Management at APM Terminals.
“APM Terminals and CATL have been on a journey to accelerate the adoption of battery-electric container handling equipment through the Zero Emission Port Alliance and shared our initial learnings earlier this year,” added Akin Li, Executive President of CATL Overseas Car Business. “We expect the strategic partnership to further accelerate the development of industry-leading solutions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at terminals.”
catl.com, apmterminals.com
