Kalmar has concluded an agreement with Westport AS to supply a Kalmar Electric Reachstacker to support its decarbonisation efforts.

Delivery is scheduled for Q4 of 2022.

Founded in 2009, Westport employs 62 people and is the leading port operator in western Norway. The company offers services connected to the ports of Risavika outside Stavanger and Dokken in Bergen. Its equipment fleet currently includes two Kalmar Gloria reachstackers, which are shortly to be joined by a Kalmar Eco Reachstacker as part of Westport’s efforts to decarbonise its operations by 2030.

Kalmar introduced its new range of electric reachstackers to the market in December 2021. The Kalmar Electric Reachstacker ordered by Westport has a maximum lifting capacity of 45 T and is capable of stacking five high and three rows deep. The 326 kWh lithium-ion battery is covered by a five-year warranty and has an expected first life of 10–12 years. The battery capacity is sufficient to cover a full working shift, with charging performed during scheduled breaks using CCS chargers with a maximum capacity of 350 kW, making this the world's first reachstacker to implement this charging standard.

The five-year Kalmar Complete Care agreement provides Westport with preventive and corrective maintenance services that are tailored to meet their operational needs. This will enable better operational and financial predictability, lower operational risk and reduced downtime.

Kurt A. Ommundsen, CEO of Westport, says the new Kalmar Electric Reachstacker will play a key role in helping to achieve the target of zero emissions by 2030. “The fact that we are the first in the world to use a new and innovative technology from Kalmar speaks volumes about our ambition to be at the forefront of the green shift. Our investments in electrification, hybrid solutions and biodiesel will enable us to reduce our emissions by 56% in 2022.

Alf-Gunnar Karlgren, vice president, counterbalance container handlers, Kalmar Mobile Solutions, says: “Kalmar and Westport are united by a firm commitment to reduce carbon emissions in the port and terminal industry. Westport has set ambitious emission-reduction targets, and is showing great leadership by adding electric reachstackers to their fleet in order to reach their net zero emission target. Together, we are showing the industry that electrified reachstacker container handling is (already) a feasible solution today.”