The Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal has taken delivery of a 55,000 lbs. capacity (24,948kg) fully electric forklift which marks the first of six pieces of zero-emissions cargo handling equipment ordered for the port.

The Wiggins Yard eBull is the industry’s first commercialised large capacity, zero-emissions forklift manufactured in the United States, according to SSA Marine, which operates the terminal.

“This large-capacity vehicle is one of the largest zero-emissions heavy-duty forklifts in operation in the United States and can lift up to 25 metric tons,” SSA states.

“Named ‘The Carrillo’, the electric forklift recognises the accomplishments of SSA Marine Regional vice president and San Diego County native Joe Carrillo,” the company continues. “[He] facilitated the arrival of the first large-capacity electric forklift fleet in the country, including 26 Wiggins Yard eBull electric forklifts at SSA Marine terminals at the Port of West Sacramento and the Port of Stockton.”

SSA Marine explains the forklift will be joined by other pieces of zero-emissions equipment in the next 12 to 18 months as the port seeks to reduce to its use of diesel and gas fuel sources.

“The Port of San Diego has completed the initial installation of the electrical infrastructure needed to support the operation of this equipment,” SSA Marine states.

“SSA Marine is proud to partner with the Port of San Diego to demonstrate the potential of zero-emissions equipment in a marine terminal environment and to further understand what the long-term benefits could look like.”

SSA Marine’s senior vice president, Bill Fitz, adds: “The Port of San Diego’s proactive approach to electric infrastructure development has been critical to the success of this program, and we look forward to continuing to work together to transitioning additional pieces of zero-emissions cargo handling equipment in the years ahead”.

The purchase of this equipment was partially funded by California’s Clean Off-Road Equipment (CORE) voucher program.

SSA Marine has activities at more than 250 terminal facilities and rail yards throughout the Americas, Mexico, Canada and Asia.