Modern Terminals invests HK$170 million in greener cranes
08.03.2011 – Hong Kong’s longest-established container terminal, Modern Terminals Limited, is investing HK$170 million in a major project of converting diesel-powered rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) into electric-RTGs (E-RTGs) in 2011. Modern Terminals plans to convert a total of 94 E-RTGs which will make the largest E-RTG fleet in the territory, of this fleet 81 units are scheduled to be completed by end of 2011. A contract signing ceremony was held in Hong Kong on 8 March 2011.
Mr. Horace Lo, the company’s Chief Development Officer & Director of Engineering, said at the ceremony: “Modern Terminals is delighted to help create a much quieter and cleaner environment in the vicinity of the container port through our investment in E-RTGs. This is another major step Modern Terminals takes in line with our pledge to protect and improve the environment. These E-RTGs will be powered by city electricity instead of built-in diesel generator set, which means zero carbon dioxide will be directly emitted by these cranes during their operation.”
Modern Terminals is committed to the sustainable development of the container terminal industry and protection of the environment, guided by its environmental policy. Having signed the Clean Air Charter in 2005, the company has continued investing in environment-friendly equipment and facilities. In 2009, Modern Terminals achieved ISO14001 accreditation.
Mr. K.T. Lee, Modern Terminals’ General Manager – Engineering and Planning as well as Chairman of Environmental Committee, explained: “We have been continuously reducing carbon dioxide emission generated from RTG, which is a major source of carbon dioxide emission in terminal operations. In 2007, we adopted from among the technologies available then a more mature and proven hybrid system for modifying 44 RTGs, each reducing about 40% of carbon dioxide emission as compared to a traditional diesel-powered RTG.
“As technology advances, we are going to deploy an automatic electricity connection system in collaboration with an optimized power supply system design for converting our E-RTGs. Via a touchpad on the E-RTG, an operator can easily control the connection of an automated telescopic arm to a conductor rail system so as to facilitate crane mobility at our stacking yard.”
Mr. Lee concluded, “By investing in this massive E-RTGs conversion project, Modern Terminals continues putting our pledge for cleaner air into action.”