Hybrid container cranes to operate in Japan's ports

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding has received orders for a total of four of its new hybrid-type container cranes from two harbour operation companies affiliated with Mitsui OSK Lines, according to Nihon Keizai Shimbun,

The cranes are for moving objects inside the container yard. They are designed with large lithium-ion battery packs that store electricity generated every time a load is lowered by the crane and supply that electricity to a motor that provides supplemental power to move the crane. This reduces the need to run the engine, which in turn helps reduce the crane's carbon dioxide emissions by 60 percent.

These four orders represent the first received by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding for the crane. The total value of the orders is US$7.44 million.

The company will provide two cranes each for the harbours in Tokyo and Kobe, with the supply date set for April or May of 2011.
 

Source: Cargonews Asia