Port of Tauranga to Trial New Zealand’s First Fully Electric Straddle Carrier

Port of Tauranga will begin a trial of the country’s first fully electric container straddle carrier, aiming to assess its performance in New Zealand’s busiest port environment. The project is supported by the government’s Low Emission Transport Fund, administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), with co-funding of $447,000 toward the $3.5 million initiative.

The trial involves the purchase of a Kalmar electric straddle carrier and the installation of supporting charging infrastructure. It is expected to begin operating in late 2027.

Port of Tauranga Chief Executive Leonard Sampson stated that the initiative is designed to test the viability of electric straddle technology under the high-demand operational conditions of an international hub port. He noted that diesel use in straddle carriers accounts for approximately 54 percent of the Port’s Scope 1 emissions, and until now, hybrid models have been the only lower-emission alternative.

The trial will examine several operational aspects including energy consumption, charging time, driver adaptability, training needs, reliability, and maintenance. Insights from the trial will be shared with other New Zealand ports operating straddle carrier fleets.

Port of Tauranga currently has 54 straddle carriers, including seven hybrids introduced since 2020 following a smaller pilot program. These hybrid units are reported to be roughly 25 percent more fuel efficient than older diesel-electric models.

Should the trial prove successful, the Port may incorporate electric straddle carriers into its ongoing equipment upgrade and retirement program. A complete transition to electric units could reduce the Port’s combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions by an estimated 43 percent based on current figures.

The findings from the trial are expected to help guide future low-emission strategies for both Port of Tauranga and other container terminals in New Zealand.