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Electrification gains traction in Brazilian terminals
Ports and terminals across South America are accelerating efforts to cut emissions, with Konecranes positioning its electric equipment portfolio at the center of that transition.
At Intermodal South America 2026 in São Paulo, the company is showcasing electrified lift trucks, mobile harbor cranes, and horizontal transport systems. The move reflects growing demand from operators seeking to balance performance with stricter environmental expectations.
A recent milestone came at the Port of Santos, where a Brazilian operator deployed two electric empty container handlers. The units support daily stacking operations, marking the first adoption of this type of equipment in South America.
Andres Ramirez, Regional Sales Development Manager, said the introduction demonstrates that electric machines can meet routine operational demands while reducing emissions.
Faster charging, longer uptime reshape operations
The company is also introducing an electric reach stacker capable of operating up to 16 hours on a single charge. Fast charging allows batteries to be replenished within one to three hours, reducing downtime and improving fleet availability.
Each unit is equipped with remote monitoring technology that provides real time data to support predictive maintenance. For terminal operators, this raises a practical question. Can electrification deliver both reliability and cost control?
Smaller ports targeted with new crane model
On the quay side, Konecranes unveiled the Gottwald ESP.4 mobile harbor crane. Designed for smaller ports, it supports container, bulk, and project cargo handling with electric, hybrid, or diesel configurations.
The company’s broader strategy combines equipment electrification with local service networks across South America. According to Jörg Müller, Vice President Mobile Harbor Cranes, operators are moving at different speeds, and suppliers must adapt to each stage of that journey.
