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Konecranes has introduced its new E-Hybrid Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) crane and electric empty container handler to the global market at TOC Europe 2025 in Rotterdam. The launch supports the company’s goal to offer fully electric versions of all port equipment by 2026.
Rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes are mobile cranes used in container terminals to stack and transport shipping containers within the yard. The E-Hybrid RTG crane builds on hybrid lifting technology by combining electric power with onboard batteries. Unlike traditional diesel-battery RTG configurations, the new model offers terminals an electric-battery solution while retaining backup power options. This is especially valuable for operations at risk of electrical blackouts, which can cause emergency stops, braking issues, or full operational shutdowns.
"Blackouts are a clear operational risk for a number of our terminal customers, so the Konecranes E-Hybrid RTG, with a combination of onboard batteries and busbar or cable reel electricity supply, solves that problem. But the E-Hybrid RTG is a game-changer for all customers on the road to fully electric container handling and lower emissions,” said Thomas Gylling, director of marketing & customer experience, port solutions, Konecranes.
Rubber-tired gantry cranes, or RTGs, are widely used in container terminals to stack and move shipping containers. The new E-Hybrid model charges its batteries during normal operations via a cable reel or busbar system. It requires only 60 kW for charging, much less than the up to 400 kilowatts required by RTGs using a direct electrical supply, reducing infrastructure costs.
The battery technology used in the E-Hybrid RTG has already been implemented in over 200 Konecranes hybrid RTGs. A container terminal in Brazil has already ordered the first E-Hybrid RTG units and are now available for global delivery.
Also unveiled at the show was Konecranes’ 9–10-ton electric empty container handler, which is being introduced in Europe and North America following deployments in Asia, the Middle East and Africa and Latin America. The handler has received positive feedback for its acceleration, lift speed, low noise and vibration and zero tailpipe emissions.
“The electric empty container handler is now available in Europe and North America. It has been well-received in the rest of the world, offering customers the compact efficiency they expect in a powerful and durable electric lift truck,” Gylling said.
Both equipment launches are part of Konecranes’ Ecolifting strategy, which aims to improve customers’ environmental performance through sustainable lifting solutions. The company continues to invest in electrification, digitalization and circularity to reduce emissions and enhance operational efficiency.
