According to SSA’s Oakland International Container Terminal announced, on July 2, that its $6 million conversion to hybrid yard cranes would cut GHG emissions by 96%. Specifically, the marine terminal, which handles 61% of Oakland’s cargo, now converts 13 massive cargo handlers, also known as rubber tired gantry cranes, from diesel to battery-powered hybrid engines.
The 90-foot-tall cranes combine to lift about 1,000 containers a day. Also, the three cranes have been retrofitted and returned to come into operation since March. The remainder will be done by next June.
The big revelation so far: a dramatic drop in fuel use.
… the port highlights.
In the meantime, Ken Larson, Crane Manager for the terminal’s parent company, Seattle-based SSA Terminals commented that the old engines used to burn 10 to 12 gallons of diesel per hour; However, the new ones burn about half a gallon per hour.
Moreover, SSA reports that hybrid engines would cut about 1,200 metric tonnes of GHG emissions annually from each crane. Also, there would be a 95% reduction in diesel particulate matter emissions.
SSA is replacing 1,000-horsepower diesel engines on its cranes with 142-horsepower diesel hybrids. The new power plants include small diesel engines used only to charge a crane’s batteries. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District awarded SSA a $5 million grant to help finance the conversion.
