Two all-electric mobile harbor cranes arrived in San Diego this week, with Port Chairman Rafael Castellanos set to officially unveil the machines Wednesday.
The Gottwald Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Cranes from Konecranes were delivered to the port’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and are touted as the first of their kind in North America.
The cranes are intended to reduce diesel particulates and polluted air in the neighborhoods of Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Logan Heights and West National City.
“These all-electric mobile harbor cranes are a game changer for public health, the environment, and our regional economy,” Castellanos said. “It’s a win, win, win.”
The port ordered the battery-supported electric cranes from Konecranes for around $14 million and spent an additional $8.9 million to make electrical infrastructure improvements to support the cranes — funded in part by $2.7 million in grants from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.
They will replace the diesel-powered crane currently in use at Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. The conversion from a diesel-powered crane to an all- electric crane system is a step toward achieving a goal of the port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy — transitioning all cargo-handling equipment to zero emissions by 2030.
“By replacing our diesel-operated cargo handling equipment with electric equipment, like these cranes, we continue to ensure the air on and around the terminal is cleaner to breathe, we reduce our environmental impacts, and we fulfill our responsibility to support commerce and jobs in our region,” Castellanos said.
In addition to the touted health benefits, the heavy-duty cranes will allow the port to compete for more business, according to a port statement. The cranes will represent the heaviest lift capability of any crane system currently in place on the West Coast — up to 400 metric tons versus the 100 MT lifting capacity of the port’s diesel crane.
“Most of the heavy-lift cargoes destined for this region weigh more than 200 MT, including larger pieces of solar, wind, and industrial energy equipment as well as project cargoes,” according to the port. “With their heavier capacity and faster offloading speed, the new cranes will also better serve our existing operations when crane movements are needed.”
The cranes are anticipated to be in operation later this year.
–City News Service
