The US subsidiary of Japan-based TMEIC has launched a mobile charging solution designed to enable terminals to transition rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes from diesel to battery-electric power quickly.

TMEIC’S E-Tanker includes a mobile lithium-ion battery charging unit, high-energy battery blocks and a charging station, all orchestrated by the company’s intelligent Fleet Management System (FMS).

Housed in a standard 40-foot container and transported by terminal tractors, the E-Tanker mobile charging unit is designed to integrate seamlessly into port operations. A single unit can serve multiple RTGs, providing the scalability to support broader electrification initiatives.

The system’s compact battery blocks can be adapted to existing cranes, eliminating extensive yard redesigns and grid upgrades while preserving terminal capacity and uptime, TMEIC said. Integration with the company’s FMS provides real-time visibility into yard operations, including battery state of charge, job assignments, charging schedules and operational priorities. This can help to optimize the use of assets and maximize efficiency across the terminal.

“Diesel-powered RTG cranes can account for up to 75% of a terminal’s fuel consumption, making them a high-impact starting point for decarbonization,” said Suraj Mishra, Business Development Manager at TMEIC. “While traditional cable reel and bus bar approaches clash with yard layout constraints and involve significant civil work and retrofit downtime, the E-Tanker solution introduces a new crane electrification paradigm. Terminals can transition to cleaner, battery-electric operations quickly and cost-effectively without redesigning their yards or taking cranes offline for weeks.”

Source: TMEIC