Georgia Ports Authority introduces electrified rubber-tired gantry cranes

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Georgia Ports Authority has unveiled its first four electrified rubber-tired gantry cranes (ERTG), a first for North America, according to GPA officials. Port officials say the new technology reduces fuel consumption by an estimated 95%.

“This transition to electrified RTGs is an important milestone for the GPA and our industry,” said GPA executive director Curtis Foltz. “This project is the latest in a series of GPA initiatives designed to increase the productivity and capacity of the port in environmentally responsible ways.”

The new ERTG system was developed with the help of partners Konecranes, Conductix-Wampfler and Georgia Power, which provided the cranes, the new power system and the electrical infrastructure, respectively.

The introduction of the ERTGs is just part of the Port of Savannah’s efforts to reduce fuel usage, according to port officials. Other efforts, such as electrifying ship-to-shore cranes and refrigerated container racks, helps reduce the port’s fuel consumption by more than 5.4 million gallons of diesel annually.

“Georgia Power’s partnership with the Georgia Ports Authority provides a great opportunity to further research and develop non-road electric transportation while adding value to the port’s day-to-day business,” said Murry Weaver, Georgia Power’s vice-president of sales. “The ERTG system will not only offer significant cost savings and environmental benefits, but it will also position the GPA as a leading model for ports throughout the nation.”

While relying on cleaner, shore-based power to handle containers, the ERTGs feature the ability to automatically switch to diesel generators when moving from stack to stack. All functions are controlled by the ERTG crane operator.

Foltz said long-term plans call for retrofitting the Garden City Terminal’s fleet of diesel-powered RTGs to use shore power via retractable arms which will link to a conductor rail system, bringing the total number of ERTGs to 169 by 2022. Repowering the RTGs will be a multi-year initiative, requiring new cranes to be ordered with electric power capabilities, and some older cranes to be retrofitted. When complete, the ERTG fleet will allow the GPA to avoid the use of 5.97 million gallons of diesel each year, according to port officials, resulting in a net savings of nearly $10 million each year, even after the purchase of electricity is factored in.

GPA director of engineering Chris Novack says ERTGs are more reliable than diesel powered versions with less downtime. In addition, fewer hours of diesel-powered operation will mean reduced maintenance costs and extended diesel life, he added.

Conductix-Wampfler installed the required power infrastructure. The ERTGs will switch via an auto-engage system between diesel and the electrical grid. About 90 percent of the time, the cranes will operate on electrical power.