DP World has deployed eight fully electric straddle carriers from Kalmar at its London Gateway port, equipped with Kempower’s ultra-high power 500A fast chargers. The project marks a significant step towards electrifying port operations and is the first use of such a charging system for Kalmar electric straddle carriers in Europe.
The electric straddle carriers, part of a £12 million investment, operate at the port’s newly opened fourth terminal, which was completed in November 2023 following a £350 million development. The terminal is DP World’s first facility to rely entirely on electric vehicles. The carriers, each weighing 62 tonnes, are powered by high-energy batteries and can be charged from 0 to 100 percent in 45 minutes, providing up to four hours of operation. Kempower supplied the charging infrastructure, which includes liquid-cooled charging satellites and its ChargEye management system.
Andrew Bowen, Chief Operating Officer for DP World UK, commented on the collaboration, saying the project builds on efforts to transition the company’s hybrid straddle carrier fleet to fully electric models.
For Kempower, the initiative is an important step in extending its solutions to port operations. Both DP World and Kempower see potential for further cooperation and expansion following the successful implementation at London Gateway. DP World operates around 80 terminals globally and is pursuing electrification efforts at other locations, including its Jebel Ali port in Dubai.
