CMA CGM Group has signed on to a two-year pilot agreement for a Hyster empty container handler, powered by 650V lithium-ion batteries, at its Malta Freeport Terminals.

The empty container handler has the capacity to stack containers eight-high and, CMA CGM Group says, will help accelerate its energy transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Malta Freeport Terminals CEO Alex Montebello says of the agreement: "The introduction of the Hyster battery electric empty container handler at Malta Freeport is an important step in reducing emissions in our terminal operations”.

“This collaboration will help us to leverage cutting-edge, sustainable technology to meet our decarbonisation goals while maintaining the efficiency and reliability that our operations demand,” Montebello adds.

Hyster says the design of the electric empty container handler for Malta Freeport Terminals, is “based on the equivalent diesel model to provide a familiar user experience for operators”.

It follows the pilot deployment of a battery powered electric cargo top handler at the Port of Los Angeles in July 2024, and a hydrogen-powered reachstacker at the Spanish Port of Valencia two months later.

Niek Willems, leader of business development, Global Ports and Terminals for Hyster, adds the company has also recently collaborated on the iTerminals 4.0 project, Malta Freeport Terminals’ initiative to pilot programs which “harness digitalisation to explore smart maintenance for port equipment”. 

“Working together to pioneer the use of a lithium-ion battery-powered empty container handler is the next exciting development in this relationship,” Willems continues.