SC Ports welcomes new RTGs as part of terminal expansion

South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) has welcomed 15 hybrid rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes to the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal.

The arrival of the RTGs is part of SC Ports’ expansion of the terminal and they will join the four others delivered in November 2020.

Additionally, the delivery was also a record US-bound RTG shipment for Chinese state-owned port equipment manufacturer ZPMC.

The machines will run entirely on electric power only use diesel when the batteries need to be recharged, which effectively cuts idling time.

The batteries, supplied by Corvus Energy, are expected to reduce fuel consumption by around 70% when compared to conventional diesel port cranes.

The RTGs will use regenerative braking energy, which is captured and stored as electricity when a container is lowered. The recaptures energy reduces the amount of power required from the generator.

A smaller generator – which runs fewer total hours – will greatly reduce maintenance costs for the RTGs and cut fuel consumption and particulate matter, greenhouse gas and other emissions from exhaust.

The expansion of the terminal will add 700,000 TEU of annual TEU in the first phase to the Port of Charleston when it opens in March.

Once fully completed, the three-berth terminal will double SC Ports’ current capacity by adding 2,4 million TEU of throughput capacity.

SC Ports CEO Jim Newsome commented, “It is always an exciting day when new cranes come through Charleston Harbor.

“The Leatherman Terminal’s impressive new equipment will provide reliable service to our customers and environmental benefits to the region.”

SC Ports has recently welcomed the arrival of five ship-to-shore (STS) cranes from ZPMC to the terminal’s new 1,400-foot berth.

It will also receive eight empty container handlers later in December from Kalmar.

SC Ports COO Barbara Melvin, said “With each equipment arrival, we take a step closer to realizing the Leatherman Terminal.

“Our SC Ports Engineering Department and numerous project partners perform an unbelievable amount of work and coordination on the site every day to make our March opening possible.”

https://www.porttechnology.org/news/sc-ports-welcomes-new-rtgs-as-part-of-terminal-expansion/