First electrical tractor in LA: Hafen revolutionized with 600 hp!

First electrical tractor in LA: Hafen revolutionized with 600 hp!

With the ambitious goal of electrifying the maritime industry, the US technology company ARC recently introduced the first completely electrical, portable tractor to the port of Los Angeles. In cooperation with the Diversified Marine Inc. from Portland, this innovative tractor has not only been converted 26 feet (approx. 8 meters), but also for emission -free high -performance use. CEO Mitch Lee underlines the Mission of ARC to take an important step towards sustainability in port logistics.

tugs are essential for harbor logistics because they move load barges, position cranes and maneuver large ships. Since many of the tugs currently used and diesel companies are out of date, they incur high energy and maintenance costs. The new electrical tractor reduces these costs and contributes to reducing the high air pollution in the region, which is health risks for the population.

technological innovations and environmental goals

The ARC electrical tractor uses a drive technology that was originally developed for the ARC Sport electrical boat. Equipped with a 600 hp dual engine drive, large lithium-ion battery packs and modernized control desks, the tractor will be able to monitor performance data in real time. The modular design enables flexible handling, while the low maintenance effort makes it easier to do.

Both the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach together convert around 76 percent of all goods that are shipped to the US west coast. As part of your environmental goals, you strive to operate all devices free of emission by 2030 and all truck traffic should also be converted to electrical drive by 2035. According to the ARC, the exchange of around 2,000 tractors used in the USA could save emissions annually that correspond to the emission of 1.6 million cars.

First findings from the pilot project With the new tractor, larger models are to be included, which could possibly be used in other ports worldwide. This is an important step, not only for ARC, but also for the entire industry, which is increasingly relating to sustainability.

Wider electrification initiatives

The progress in the electrification of port logistics is also supported by companies such as Hyster Europe. This company announced that emission-free container forklifts and reach stackers with lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen technology. Wilhelm Nieuwland, Big Truck Program Manager at Hyster, emphasizes that the switch to environmentally friendly drive technologies is of central importance for future harbor logistics. In particular, projects in the ports of Los Angeles and Valencia are promoted that drive the introduction of electrical work equipment.

In addition, the electrification of ships and boats is a growing trend. Companies such as Kempowers have developed solutions to supply these vehicles with electrical energy to advance decarbonization. With the prospect of a lowering emission of 50% by 2050, in accordance with the guidelines of the international sea shipping organization, the development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. Kempower works with partners to create charging solutions and to establish a publicly accessible network for electric vehicles and electronics.

Overall, these developments show that the port industry enters a new era of sustainability in which innovation and environmental protection go hand in hand. The electrical tractor from ARC could be the beginning of a larger trend reversal in maritime logistics.

Hyster informs about the electrification of ports ...
Kempower emphasizes how the electrification in port is progressing ...