Straddle carrier

01

Set the stacking height, lifting capacity and duty

Kalmar describes its straddle carriers, also called straddle trucks or shuttles, as able to load and unload trucks, carry and stack containers, work with other cranes, serve rail exchanges and reefer stacks, and run between warehouse or depot and the main yard, in a yard of any shape. It says they handle up to two containers at a time, stack up to four containers high and lift up to 60 tonnes, and it separates end-to-end use, where straddle carriers handle all container moves, from shuttle operation, where they pick and place containers on the ground so quay cranes are never kept waiting. [1]

Its technical tables list the electric straddle carrier at 40, 50 or 60 t lifting capacity with stacking up to four 9'6" containers high, and the hybrid at 40, 50 or 60 t with stacking three or four high, a 4.4 litre engine and automation readiness; both use an electric winch-and-rope hoist. [2] [3]

Editorial note: a stacking height quoted as "1 over 3" or "four high" depends on container height; ask the supplier to state it for 9'6" high-cube boxes, which Kalmar uses as its basis, and to give rated capacity under the spreader for single and twin lifts.

Give the supplier the terminal layout and yard dimensions, stacking height required and container types (20, 40, 45 ft; 8'6" or 9'6"), twin-lift needs, operation type (end-to-end, shuttle, rail, reefer), annual moves and peak moves per hour, pavement and gradients, climate and wind limits, power preference and grid capacity for charging, automation plans, and local safety and emissions rules.

02

Choose the power system and charging

Kalmar offers diesel-electric, hybrid and battery-electric straddle carriers and states that its hybrid can reduce existing emissions by up to 40% compared with traditional diesel-powered equipment. [1] Its electric straddle carrier uses a lithium-ion battery with 533 kWh nominal and 453 kWh usable energy, which it gives as 300–600 minutes of operating time and 45–50 minutes of charging with its Megawatt Charging System or FastCharge. [2]

Editorial calculation: assuming all 453 kWh of usable energy is consumed over the stated operating-time endpoints, 300 minutes = 5 hours gives 453 ÷ 5 ≈ 91 kW average draw, while 600 minutes = 10 hours gives 453 ÷ 10 ≈ 45 kW. The usable-to-nominal energy ratio is 453 ÷ 533 ≈ 85%. These are editorial calculations, not manufacturer-published power ratings or measured operating data. Ask for energy per move on the proposed duty cycle, charger power, charger count and grid connection. [2]

Kalmar also cites a collision warning system for straddle carriers and an automated version, and says its frame needs no external bracing. [1]

03

Learn from a terminal's battery-electric trial

PSA Antwerp reports that on 11 May 2023 the MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) in the Port of Antwerp launched a fully electric straddle carrier built by Konecranes, the first of its kind in mainland Europe. The terminal states that the battery allows continuous operation for more than four hours without a dip in performance, that the machine runs 100 percent on batteries and takes about 90 minutes to recharge fully, and that straddle carriers account for approximately 90 percent of its direct emissions in Belgium. The trial is part of a Green Straddle Carrier Program by Antwerp Terminal Services, MPET and PSA Antwerp that compares four pathways in live operation — full electrification, hydrogen, hybrid battery/diesel and biofuel — while examining how to optimise recharging of a larger fleet; the operators target a 50 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2030 against 2019 and net zero by 2050. [4]

Set this operator trial beside Kalmar's diesel-electric, hybrid and electric models above: a terminal needs both the maker's battery data and its own shift pattern to judge whether more than 4 hours per charge is enough. [1] [2] [3]

Editorial calculation: assuming exactly 4 hours of work and 90 minutes (1.5 hours) of charging in each repeating cycle, charging occupies 1.5 ÷ (4 + 1.5) ≈ 27% of the cycle. This is an editorial scheduling example, not manufacturer-published or measured operating data. PSA reports more than 4 hours of continuous operation, so the assumed 4-hour value is not its stated runtime. Fleet reserve requirements need the terminal duty and charging plan. [4]

Give the supplier your shift length, moves per hour and charging windows, and ask for the runtime per charge, recharge time and charger power at your duty, ideally backed by data from an operating terminal.

04

Container and precast-load carrier configurations

Listings include container carriers, carriers for precast beams and Mobilift-type equipment. Ask for stacking height, rated load, span and lift height, power system, speeds and automation options.

05

Straddling frame, spreader and electric hoist

06

Stack height, battery energy and terminal-duty inputs

07

Send the terminal, duty and power data together

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Terminal: [layout; yard size; pavement; gradients]
Containers: [sizes; heights; heaviest; twin lift]
Operation: [end-to-end or shuttle; moves per hour]
Stacking: [rows; height]
Power: [diesel-electric, hybrid or battery; charging; grid]
Automation: [manual, ready or automated]
Environment: [temperature; wind; emissions rules]

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