Hybrid RTG cranes support low-emission port operations

Container terminals are under pressure to increase throughput while reducing local emissions and fuel consumption. In this context, CSP Iberian Valencia Terminal placed an order for six hybrid Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes from Konecranes for deployment at the Port of Valencia, with delivery scheduled for December 2026.

Expanding an existing hybrid crane fleet
The new machines will operate alongside RTGs already supplied by Konecranes, forming part of the terminal’s ongoing modernization program. This program focuses on improving operational efficiency in container yard handling while lowering CO₂ emissions associated with diesel-powered equipment.

RTGs are used to stack and move containers in yard blocks. Their duty cycles typically involve frequent acceleration, deceleration, and lifting operations, making them suitable for hybridization strategies that capture and reuse energy.

How the hybrid drive reduces fuel use
Konecranes hybrid RTGs use onboard battery systems as the primary power source for crane movements, while a diesel generator is used mainly to recharge the batteries when required. Intelligent power management and regenerative braking recover energy during lowering and braking phases, feeding it back into the battery system.

This operating model reduces the time the diesel engine runs at high load, which in turn lowers fuel consumption and associated CO₂ emissions compared with conventional diesel-driven RTGs. The approach supports terminals seeking incremental emissions reductions without a full transition to grid-powered or cabled systems.

Automation features for yard safety and efficiency
The six cranes will be equipped with several Konecranes Smart Features. Active Load Control (ALC) reduces load sway during hoisting and trolley movements, supporting faster and more precise container positioning. Gantry Collision Prevention uses sensors and control logic to help avoid impacts with obstacles in the travel path. Truck Lift Prevention reduces the risk of lifting a container while it is still secured to a truck chassis.

Such functions are designed to improve safety margins in busy container yards while maintaining consistent handling speeds.

Fitting into broader decarbonization strategies
Hybrid RTGs are part of a wider set of equipment options used by ports to reduce emissions from yard operations. Compared with conventional diesel RTGs, hybrid systems lower fuel demand through energy recovery and battery-assisted operation, while avoiding the need for continuous external power infrastructure.

More than 3,000 Konecranes RTGs, including hybrid variants, have been delivered globally. For terminals like CSP Iberian Valencia, hybrid machines provide a transitional step toward lower-emission yard equipment while preserving established operating practices and layout flexibility in the container yard.

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