History was made this week as North America's first all-electric mobile harbor cranes made their official debut at the Port of San Diego, marking a major milestone in the port's commitment to sustainability and cleaner air quality for local neighborhoods, according to Times of San Diego report
The two 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, replacing the diesel-powered crane currently in use. These cranes come as a bold promise to deliver cleaner air for residents of Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Logan Heights, and West National City, as reported by Offshore Energy
These state-of-the-art, eco-friendly cranes come with a price tag of approximately $14 million, while an additional $8.9 million was spent on electrical infrastructure improvements to support their operation. The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District contributed $2.7 million in grant funding to help offset the cost.
Improving air quality isn't the only benefit these cranes bring to the table; their heavy-lifting capabilities are set to make the port more competitive and attract additional business opportunities. The new cranes boast a 400-metric-ton (MT) lifting capacity versus the 100 MT of the port's current diesel crane. This increased capacity will enable the Port of San Diego to handle heavier cargoes, such as solar, wind, and industrial energy equipment, as well as project cargoes.
These cranes are a crucial step toward achieving the port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy goal of transitioning all cargo handling equipment to zero emissions by 2030. According to Pacific Maritime Magazine, the purchase was announced back in February, and their arrival in mid-2023 aligns perfectly with the port's plans to reduce emissions and provide a healthier environment for local communities.
In addition to the all-electric cranes, the Port of San Diego is also expecting the delivery of the eTug from Crowley, which will make it the first port in the country to have an electric tug. The port has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of sustainability measures, such as offering shore power at its terminals and establishing a Climate Action Plan in 2013.
With this landmark unveiling of the first all-electric harbor cranes in North America, the Port of San Diego demonstrates its dedication to protecting the environment while maintaining its reputation as a world-class maritime hub. Summing it up perfectly, Chairman Rafael Castellanos of the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners expressed in the Times of San Diego article, "These all-electric mobile harbor cranes are a game changer for public health, the environment, and our regional economy… It’s a win, win, win."
