Two shipping terminals at the Port of Long Beach are putting new, zero-emissions equipment known as top handlers through the rigours of operating in a real world environment to test their ability to meet the challenging duty cycle at a busy seaport.
The terminals, Long Beach Container Terminal and SSA Marine at Pier J, will demonstrate three never-before-tested Taylor battery-electric top handlers (two at SSA and one at Long Beach Container Terminal) for approximately six months. International Longshore and Warehouse Union members are operating the vehicles.
“We expect these battery-electric top handlers to be able to make it through the daily two-shift cycle before needing a recharge,” commented Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero.
The equipment is part of the Port of Long Beach’s Commercialization of POLB Off-Road Technology Demonstration Project (C-PORT).
The demonstration project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
“These are the first zero-emissions top handlers working at a seaport,” said Paul Gagnon, vice president of SSA Terminals.
“At Long Beach Container Terminal, electric vehicles move containers from the ship to the sorting yard, where electric stacking cranes ready them for pick up,” LBCT President Anthony Otto commented. “Seeing what it takes to add an electric top-handler to make our groundbreaking operations even greener is something we’re very interested in, and we’re happy to be part of this collaborative project.”
