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Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT) is taking another major step toward electrified port operations with the order of a new Automated Horizontal Transport (AHT) System from Konecranes, aimed at modernizing the Euromax terminal. The move reflects a shift away from diesel towards a cleaner, data-driven terminal setup. Back in 2005, both companies laid the groundwork with 96 diesel-electric Konecranes Gottwald AGVs. After nearly 20 years of steady performance, those machines are now making way for a fleet designed for the next two decades.
The new order—booked during the first and second quarters of 2025—includes 42 fully electric, Li-Ion powered AGVs. Each unit is integrated with an Automated Charging Station, capable of fast charging and managed by a Battery Management System. This system tracks performance and battery health, even during operation, allowing for data-backed decisions and increased reliability.
What sets these AGVs apart is how they work in harmony with the existing diesel-powered fleet. The entire operation is coordinated through Konecranes’ TEAMS ECS software, which manages the routing of AGVs and synchronizes them with Ship-to-Shore (STS) and Automated Stacking Cranes (ASC). A Failure Management & Diagnostic System provides operators with detailed feedback, down to individual battery components.
Ralf Konnerth, Director of Automated Horizontal Transport at Konecranes, described the agreement as a reflection of “two decades of operational success” at the terminal. He emphasized the company’s readiness to support the port’s electrification journey in the coming years.
The deal also falls under Konecranes’ Ecolifting™ initiative, which focuses on helping clients shrink their carbon footprints while increasing efficiency. This includes a broader push to electrify equipment and integrate smarter digital tools to streamline operations.
For the terminal, this is less about sweeping changes and more about calculated upgrades—incremental automation with measurable environmental benefits, all without needing to replace existing infrastructure.
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