European ports working towards phasing in ‘fossil-free’ fuels at container terminals
Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) aims to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at its container terminal with increased use of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO100) and batteries.
PHOTO: Container terminal at Hamburg, Germany. Port of Hamburg
CMP has decided to use HVO100 for its machines at the container terminal in Copenhagen. It expects to “reduce fossil diesel consumption by approx. 60,000 litres per year” with this initiative.
Additionally, the use of battery-hybrid straddle carriers will help to reduce emissions at the port's container terminal, CMP said. Ordered in April this year, these battery-hybrid carriers are designed to use HVO100 as well, it added.
The port has already reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its operations by 57% in 2022 from 2020 levels. This corresponds to a reduction of 1,231 mt of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). The port authority is now aiming to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2025.
“In 2025, the container terminal in Copenhagen will move to Ydre Nordhavn [new container terminal] and CMP expects by that time all fossil fuels will be phased out at all terminals,” it further said.
Among other European ports, the Port of Hamburg has claimed to have converted its automated guided vehicle (AGV) fleet at the container terminal Altenwerder to battery operation. This fleet comprises 95 battery-powered vehicles that run on "green electricity", Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) said.
AGV fleet is used to move goods and materials between the docks and the stackyards in large container terminals.
With the use of battery-powered AGVs, Hamburg is now able to reduce diesel consumption by around 3 million litres/year, equivalent to about 8,000 mt of CO2 emissions, HHLA said.
“Fossil energy is no longer necessary at any stage of the container transport process from the ship to the container storage system – it is now entirely electrified,” it further added.
By Aparupa Mazumder
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