Hyster says it has delivered the UK’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered reach stacker with a delivery to the Port of Tilbury in eastern London’s Essex.

Hyster and its authorised dealer Briggs Equipment UK, state the reach stacker is a milestone in hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) technology and supports the port’s transition to lower-emission container handling operations.

A spokesperson tells Forkliftaction News the reach stacker is a Hyster RSJ46-33XDH/62 which has a lifting capacity of 46,000kg allowing it to lift up to five containers high.

“This is the first hydrogen fuel cell powered container handler to be deployed and fully operational in a real-world port application within the United Kingdom,” Hyster states.

The company adds it developed and refined the HFC reach stacker from pilot programs, including one in Valencia in 2024, where it worked with its energy solutions brand Nuvera to optimise the system.

The HFC reach stacker is powered by a Nuvera 60kW fuel cell engine which converts hydrogen into electricity to support a 130kWh lithium-ion battery and, incorporates standardised Hyster software architecture used across other Hyster electric products.

Hyster says the reach stacker is expected to help the Port of Tilbury demonstrate a lower CO2 emissions footprint by more than 107,000kg of CO2 per year, based on 40,000l of diesel consumption/year (average @ 2,500 annual hours) and CO2 emission factor of 2.68kg of CO2/litre diesel (tank-to-wheel).

The Port of Tilbury is part of the Forth Ports Group, which is working toward achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2042.

High-pressure tanks will store 32kg of hydrogen on board, helping deliver long run times and operational productivity across a full 12-hour shift. 

“The HFC reach stacker can be refuelled in less than 30 minutes and will operate entirely on green hydrogen, produced with an electrolyzer from GeoPura,” Hyster states. “Together, these capabilities will help demonstrate the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology to support demanding port operations while advancing sustainability objectives.”

David Housden, head of engineering and procurement, Port of Tilbury, says: “Working in collaboration with our project partners Hyster and Briggs Equipment over the past two years, we are now delivering 100% green hydrogen-powered heavy lifting capability for our customers”.

“This pre-production trial marks a landmark moment for our business as we introduce leading alternative clean energy solutions into our port operations,” Housden adds. “The project is supported by on-site green hydrogen production, supply and refuelling infrastructure from GeoPura and the reach stacker demonstrates our commitment to decarbonising our operations and our transition to more sustainable port logistics.”