Port of Ventspils receives first electric crane

Stena Line Ports Ventspils JSC has officially taken delivery of its first electric Konecranes Gottwald ESP.7 Mobile Harbor Crane.

The new machine marks a major step forward in its strategy to modernize operations and reduce emissions at the Port of Ventspils, a vital Baltic trade hub linking the Nordics and Central Europe.

Ordered in mid-2024 and delivered in Q1 2025, the new mobile harbor crane is now fully operational at the Latvian port.

The equipment is part of a broader push by Stena Line Ports to adopt energy-efficient technologies as it upgrades port infrastructure for sustainable, next-generation logistics.

The ESP.7 model operates primarily on electric power drawn directly from the harbor mains, significantly reducing local emissions.

It also features an onboard hybrid drive system that combines a diesel generator and ultracapacitors for flexible operations where grid power is unavailable. This hybrid setup enables lower fuel consumption, reduced emissions, and lower operating costs compared to traditional diesel-powered harbor cranes.

Mārtiņš Ziemanis, Managing Director of Stena Line Ports Ventspils, noted that the new crane offers the versatility to handle a wide range of cargo.

With a maximum lifting capacity of 125 tonnes, the crane will be used to handle containers, general cargo, project cargo, and bulk materials. It replaces an earlier-generation Gottwald crane delivered in 1988, inherited from the previous port operator.

The contract is part of Konecranes’ Ecolifting initiative, which aims to amplify the company’s positive environmental impact while reducing the carbon footprint of its customers.

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