Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe has taken delivery of its latest batch of Automated electric Rubber-Tyred Gantry cranes (AeRTGs).

The latest batch of five machines, which also have a remote-control option, are part of an order for 17 electric cranes from Konecranes of Finland.

Robert Ashton, the chief operating officer of the Port of Felixstowe, stated that the new cranes represent the latest step in the port's efforts to provide excellent customer service, enhance working conditions for our employees, and reduce carbon emissions from our operations.

"We have set an ambitious target to reach Net-Zero for scopes 1&2 by 2035. As part of our programme to phase-out all diesel equipment these new cranes take us another step closer to our goal," he said, adding that the Port also recently increased the maximum depth of berths at the port to 18 metres to increase its ability to accommodate the world's largest container ships.

"That upgrade is complemented by these new cranes and the increased use of automated and remote-control technology to improve the efficiency and predictability of service we offer them," Ashton said.

In the announcement, Port of Felixstowe noted that the new cranes can lift containers 1-over-6 high and span seven rows plus a roadway. They can be fully automated but will operate in semi-autonomous mode, with the lift to or from the carrying vehicle undertaken using remote control by an operator based in a newly refurbished remote-control suite at the port.

The new cranes are being unloaded at the port's Trinity Terminal before being transferred to Berths 8&9, where they will be based.

The Port said each will go through a commissioning process before entering service.