Green cranes on the ascent

DaDaito Corporation, part of the Japanese container group

has placed an order for three environmentally-friendly, gravity-charged ‘hybrid’ transfer cranes for two of its terminals.

This newly developed hybrid transfer crane has a system that reduces fuel consumption by storing and reusing electricity generated when the lifting container is moving down.

The first crane will be delivered to the Honmoku terminal in August 2007, with a second and third due at Ohi Terminal in October and November 2007. This will be the first time in Japan that a container terminal has introduced these one-over-five-high (a container stacking system) hybrid transfer cranes. TCM Corporation and Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding will manufacture the cranes.

The cranes boast a 40-50 per cent decrease in oil consumption and air pollution, including CO₂ emissions, and a reduction in engine noise over current transfer cranes, according to the manufacturers.

Daito Corporation is planning to introduce a further two cranes at its Ohi Terminal and one at the Honmoku Terminal in 2008 if the initial cranes prove successful.