The new technology reduces fuel consumption by an estimated 95 percent.

“This transition to electrified RTGs is an important milestone for the GPA and our industry,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. “This project is the latest in a series of GPA initiatives designed to increase the productivity and capacity of the port in environmentally responsible ways.”

The new ERTG system was developed with the help of partners Konecranes, Conductix-Wampfler and Georgia Power, which provided the cranes, the new power system and the electrical infrastructure, respectively.

Through efforts such as electrifying ship-to-shore cranes and refrigerated container racks, the Port of Savannah avoids the use of more than 5.4 million gallons of diesel annually. The new cranes will further reduce the GPA’s fuel demand.

“Georgia Power’s partnership with the Georgia Ports Authority provides a great opportunity to further research and develop non-road electric transportation while adding value to the port’s day-to-day business,” said Murry Weaver, Georgia Power’s Vice President of Sales. “The ERTG system will not only offer significant cost savings and environmental benefits, but it will also position the GPA as a leading model for ports throughout the nation.”

While relying on cleaner, shore-based power to handle containers, the ERTGs feature the ability to automatically switch to diesel generators when moving from stack to stack. All functions are controlled by the ERTG crane operator.

Foltz said long-term plans call for retrofitting the Garden City Terminal’s fleet of diesel-powered RTGs to use shore power via retractable arms which will link to a conductor rail system, bringing the total number of ERTGs to 169 by 2022. Repowering the RTGs will be a multi-year initiative, requiring new cranes to be ordered with electric power capabilities, and some older cranes to be retrofitted. When complete, the ERTG fleet will allow the GPA to avoid the use of 5.97 million gallons of diesel each year. This will result in a net savings of nearly $10 million each year, even after the purchase of electricity is factored in.

“We are very proud the GPA has chosen Konecranes again as its reliable partner with the latest technologies for RTG cranes,” said Tuomas Saastamoinen, director of sales and marketing for port cranes. “The four Konecranes ERTGs delivered this year are operating very well, and we look forward to working with the Georgia Ports Authority as it continues its transition to cleaner, quieter electrified RTGs.”

GPA Director of Engineering Chris Novack said ERTGs are more reliable than diesel-powered versions with less downtime. In addition, fewer hours of diesel-powered operation will mean reduced maintenance costs and extended diesel life.

Conductix-Wampfler installed the required power infrastructure. The ERTGs will switch via an auto-engage system between diesel and the electrical grid. About 90 percent of the time, the cranes will operate on electrical power.

The RTG-mounted electrical equipment and retractable arm are compact and lightweight – important factors for subsequent ports considering a transition to electric power.

“This means it can be used for any ERTG, even those with little room for additional components,” said Jerry Koetting, district sales manager at Conductix-Wampfler. “We therefore assume that the product can set entirely new benchmarks in the ERTG electrification market.”

Custom built to a GPA design, the ERTGs are powered through 480-volt conductor rails installed on the container yard at the rear of Container Berths 4 and 5. They will capture power when lowering boxes — energy which is currently lost under diesel power. For comparison, the GPA’s electrified ship-to-shore cranes reduce their power demand by about 35 percent by capturing energy from lowering boxes.

Future reliance on ERTGs will drastically reduce diesel consumption at GPA, aiding the authority’s ongoing commitment to environmentally responsible operations.

“Georgia Ports Authority is a diligent steward of our natural resources,” said GPA Board Chairman Robert Jepson. “Our staff and technical partners have developed a cutting-edge tool that will help not only the GPA, but other ports around the nation to revolutionize container handling. Our ERTG design sets the pace for the industry, by dramatically reducing the fuel consumption, diesel emissions and noise normally associated with older technology.”

“These orders are the latest in a collaboration with local partners and POLA that spans many years, and underlines Cavotec’s role as an established supplier of shore power equipment in the US and globally,” says Rob Thompson, West Coast Manager Cavotec USA Inc.

Cavotec will supply a large number of “Easy Lift” Access Covers and Shore Power Outlet Connection boxes for four separate container terminals at the Port. These orders include equipment for POLA berths 228, 401-406, 100-102, 121-128 and 212-216.

Cavotec’s innovative “Easy Lift” Access Covers are safer for personnel to operate than many existing alternatives. These systems were first developed for use at airports and other aviation related applications. The units avoid operator stress and injury by reducing lift weights to a minimum. They are built into the quayside to enable vessels to connect to grid-generated electrical power quickly and easily.

“These, and other shore power projects on which we are currently working, are a reminder of the growing trend, especially in the US and Europe, towards tighter legislation regulating emissions at ports. We continue to work closely with our partners to ensure that ports meet their environmental targets,” Thompson adds.

Cavotec AMP systems enable vessels to switch off their engines while docked and to connect to shore side electricity. Services such as power supply for reefer containers, lighting, heating, food preparation and cargo handling are then run directly from the port.

Switching off ships’ engines and connecting to grid-generated electricity reduces fuel consumption and dramatically cuts particulate matter emissions, thus helping improve air quality in ports and surrounding communities.

The system automates data capture for all container movements, automatically builds ship plans and provides tools for managing traffic at the quay. The crane solution utilises optical character recognition (OCR) technology to automate data capture for all container movements. Global Container Terminals is also implementing APS MatchMakerTM solution to automatically associate containers to terminal-owned trucks during hand-off, and the APS X-ClerkTM exception handling system.

The crane OCR solution automatically identifies containers loaded and discharged by the quay cranes to improve data accuracy, throughput and safety, while decreasing overall operating costs.  The implementation includes in-flight OCR cameras between the cranes’ legs and in the back-reach, in addition to portal beam cameras for automated door direction detection.  Global Container Terminal is also using the APS MatchMakerTM system to automatically associate containers to terminal-owned trucks during handoff, allowing for automated work assignment and confirmation without manual intervention.

“Global Container Terminals was looking for a solution that would maximise the efficiency, safety and data quality of quay operations for our terminal.  Cargotec and APS Technologies will enable us to provide a better service to our customer through the use of these advanced solutions.” said Richard Ceci, Vice President, Information Technology for Global Container Terminals.  “We chose Cargotec and APS Technology for their proven experience in crane automation and optical character recognition solutions.”

Global Container Terminals (GCT) is one of the top four container terminal operators in North America and enjoys stable, long-term relationships with the majority of the world’s largest container lines. To support the growing capacity needs of its customers, GCT has several expansion projects underway along with the implementation of solutions to help improve terminal safety and to maximise efficiencies.

Commissioned last month (November), the vessel has a capacity of 16,020 TEU (twenty foot-equivalent units)and is 54m wide and 396m long, making it 51m larger than the Queen Mary 2, the superliner regular at Southampton.

Calling at DP World Southampton, her only UK port of call, the CMA CGM Marco Polo will become a familiar sight at the terminal which has repeatedly been setting productivity records.

Charted on CMA CGM’s FAL 1 service she is expected to call at the port every 11 weeks, having completed her route around North Europe, North Africa, Malta, Middle East Gulf and Asia.

Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, said: “Today we mark the latest milestone in the terminal’s history, handling the world’s largest container vessel and underlining Southampton’s capabilities and vital role in the forefront of global trade.

“With the container industry changing, these new giants of the sea will soon be regulars at the terminal and we are ready and waiting with a highly motivated workforce whose ‘can-do’ culture is inspirational.

“As we continue to focus all our efforts on providing fast, reliable and secure services for our customers, we are confident that our consistently high productivity levels will continue on these Ultra Large Container Ships and all others calling at the terminal.”

Associated British Ports (ABP) is the port owner and joint venture partner in DP World Southampton. Doug Morrison, ABP Port Director Southampton, said: “CMA CGM Marco Polo’s call is great news for everyone connected with the port and the 10,000 jobs it supports across the region.

“We have now placed ourselves on the map as a terminal capable of handling not only the world’s largest container ship, but also similar 18,000 TEU vessels still under construction.

“With work well underway on the £150m redevelopment of berth 201/202, DP World Southampton will have an additional deep-water facility from 2014.

“Team this with the fantastic productivity levels shown in recent times, we have all the right ingredients to continue being one of most productive terminals in Northern Europe, as well as the most strategically located first and last deep-sea port of call in the UK.”

The arrival of the CMA CGM Marco Polo follows a record-breaking year for productivity at the terminal, which recently won a national award for being the most reliable UK port for its rail feed service and launches its new vehicle booking system (VBS Premium) in January 2013, further enhancing supply chain efficiencies.