The Konecranes hybrid reach stacker, SMV 4531 TB5 HLT.

The award-winning Konecranes hybrid reach stacker, SMV 4531 TB5 HLT has completed a full year of field testing at the Port of Helsingborg on the south-west coast of Sweden.

The hybrid reach stacker was launched in January 2013. It features a serial hybrid diesel/electric driveline, an electrified hydraulic closed-circuit lifting system and super capacitor-based energy storage. According to Konecranes, the hybrid reach stacker demonstrates a saving on fuel consumption of between 30% and 50% during normal handling of fully loaded containers compared to conventional reach stackers. Over the test period, the tested machines' reduced emissions amounted to 80 T less CO2.

"We are very happy with the performance of the machine and not just on the fuel saving and reduction of the CO2 emissions. The machine's reliability, performance and driver comfort have exceeded our expectations," says Mats Fernebrand, purchasing manager for the Port of Helsingborg.

Lars Fredin, head of Konecranes' forklift business unit, adds: "The completion of our field tests has confirmed that the hybrid reach stacker offers unparalleled savings on running costs and energy consumption. These efficiencies are ideal for clients looking to be frontrunners in eco-efficient technology without compromising on heavy lifting performance."

The test machines have now permanently joined the existing fleet of 15 Konecranes reach stackers and forklifts in the port.

Due to the global interest in the hybrid reach stacker, which was recently awarded the UK-based Fork Lift Truck Association's excellence award in the environmental category, Konecranes will offer serial produced hybrid reach stackers. The company says the lessons from the field testing will be used to further improve productivity and energy efficiency while engineers continue to work on lowering the emissions of pollutants and noise.

Separately, Konecranes is forging ahead with its straddle carrier business. At the end of 2013, it received an order for five straddle carriers from MSC Home Terminal in Antwerp, Belgium. MSC Home Terminal is a joint venture between the Mediterranean Shipping Company and PSA Antwerp.

Also in late 2013, Konecranes received an order for 13 straddle carriers from Maher Terminals LLC in the USA. This is Konecranes' second straddle carrier delivery to Maher, who operates the largest container terminals in the ports of New York and New Jersey and a fleet of over 160 straddle carriers. The Konecranes straddle carriers will be delivered to Maher in June 2014.

The values of both orders are confidential.