Hyster is deploying a hydrogen fuel cell-powered ReachStacker at Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals (RST) in the Netherlands as part of a multi-year project to evaluate hydrogen technology for heavy-duty container handling.
The RSJ46-33XDH/62 will primarily handle 45-foot containers and is fitted with a dedicated spreader. The deployment follows an earlier hydrogen ReachStacker project by Hyster in Valencia, Spain.
Hydrogen ReachStacker Uses 60 kW Fuel Cell
The ReachStacker is powered by a 60 kW fuel cell engine supplied by Nuvera. The fuel cell converts hydrogen into electricity, which is used to supply a 130 kWh lithium-ion battery.
Hyster also highlights a common software architecture across its product range, designed to support consistent operation, diagnostics and maintenance.
The equipment will operate at RST, which Hyster describes as Europe’s largest specialty port for short-sea shipping. The site will provide a real-world environment for assessing the performance and operational requirements of hydrogen-powered container handling equipment.
Rotterdam Project Targets Heavy-Duty Decarbonisation
The ReachStacker forms part of a multi-year innovation project focused on reducing emissions from heavy-duty material handling.
The project is supported by the Province of South Holland and the EU-co-financed Just Transition Fund (JTF), among other funding sources. The consortium includes Hyster, RST, Berkman Energie Services, STC Next, HarbourHUB and Hyster’s local dealer Heffiq.
Hyster specialists will work with Heffiq and RST throughout the project to evaluate the equipment and gather operational experience with hydrogen fuel cell technology.
“South Holland is at the forefront of the energy transition, and innovative projects like this hydrogen fuel cell-powered ReachStacker keep us there,” said Jeroen van Dijken, a member of the South Holland provincial government.
Hyster said hydrogen fuel cells could have a role in applications that require zero tailpipe emissions while maintaining the power and availability needed for intensive container handling.
“Ports and terminals are under increasing pressure to lower emissions without compromising performance,” said Lucien Robroek, President, Global Big Trucks, Hyster. “Hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to play an important role in applications where equipment must combine zero tailpipe emissions with the power and uptime required for intensive container handling.”
Modular Hydrogen Refuelling Station Supports Testing
The Rotterdam project will also evaluate a modular hydrogen refuelling station. The system is intended to support operation independently of a supply grid, providing another element for the project to assess alongside the hydrogen-powered ReachStacker.
The infrastructure is designed to help the project team examine how hydrogen supply and heavy-duty equipment can be integrated into port operations.
Experience Centre to Support Hydrogen Training
A joint Experience Centre will form another part of the project. The facility will provide training for employees, students and logistics professionals covering the energy transition and the safe and efficient handling of hydrogen.
RST said the combination of the hydrogen refuelling station and fuel cell-powered ReachStacker will allow the terminal to study the transition to hydrogen-powered equipment in practical operating conditions.
“For us, sustainability is not just an ambition for the future; it is about the choices we make today,” said Arno Storm, Managing Director of RST. “This hydrogen refueling station and hydrogen fuel cell-powered ReachStacker allow us to explore the transition in practice.”
The project is expected to provide operational experience on the use of hydrogen fuel cell technology in container handling while supporting wider efforts to reduce emissions from port and logistics operations.
