Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

HIT Takes Delivery of 10 New Hybrid Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes

Article Date: 06/07/2011

[6 July 2011 – Hong Kong] Hongkong International Terminals Limited (HIT) has taken delivery of 10 new hybrid Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGCs). The new machines, delivered yesterday, bring to 136 the total number of RTGCs at Hong Kong’s leading container terminal.

The one-over-six model RTGCs have a lifting capacity of 41 tonnes and are expected to be deployed operationally later this month. The new machines increase the number of hybrid cranes at the terminal to 49, alongside 53 electric cranes and 34 diesel-driven units.

Ivor Chow, Managing Director of HIT commented: "The arrival of the cranes is part of our ongoing effort to strengthen yard operations and enhance overall operational efficiency. They will fit nicely into the newly converted yard area that was renovated to accommodate hybrid and electric RTGCs."

He added, "The new hybrid cranes underline our commitment to carrying out operations in an environmentally-friendly way. We expect to complete the conversion of our remaining diesel-driven cranes into either electric or hybrid models next year."

Hybrid RTGCs are fitted with a battery, and the cranes recycle power by storing energy that is generated when lowering containers and using that power to hoist containers. Hybrid cranes consume less fuel, reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent, and emit no black smoke. These machines also use a smaller engine than diesel-driven RTGCs, and as a result, the need for maintenance of the engine and electrical drive components is reduced.

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HIT takes delivery of 10 new hybrid RTGCs