Hamburg’s C. Steinweg (Süd-West Terminal) is advancing the decarbonization of its handling processes by integrating a fully electric reach stacker from SANY MARINE into its operations.
According to the manufacturer, this full-container reachstacker is powered by a 422 kWh lithium ferrophosphate (LFP) battery. These batteries are not only maintenance-free and durable but also more environmentally friendly than conventional lithium-ion alternatives, as they do not contain toxic heavy metals like cobalt or nickel.
During an extensive multi-week testing phase, the onboard battery demonstrated its capability, delivering 8 to 10 hours of performance on a single charge under demanding handling conditions. The tests also confirmed that the all-electric reachstacker matches the performance of diesel-powered trucks while significantly reducing operating costs by 40% to 60%.
“At the same time, we are expecting a higher level of availability because the maintenance work will be considerably less”, mentioned Thomas Friede, Operations Manager at C. Steinweg.
Friede added: “With the SANY SRSC45E5, we are consciously opting for an emission-free solution that makes an important contribution to our sustainability goals. As a company, we have a great responsibility to protect the environment and reduce our carbon footprint. By using this all-electric machine, we will save more than 70 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year. At the same time, we are improving air quality and significantly reducing noise emissions, especially here in the urban environment of the Port of Hamburg.”
The initiative originated from discussions between the management teams of C. Steinweg and Bittermann, a long-standing partner in maintenance and repair at the German terminal. Recognizing the potential of future-oriented forklift technology, both parties agreed to conduct a comprehensive trial of the SANY SRSC45E5 container handler.
The successful collaboration during the test phase, coupled with the highly satisfactory results, convinced both employees and management of the reach stacker’s advantages. As a result, C. Steinweg has chosen to invest in this innovative and sustainable technology, reinforcing its long-term commitment to environmentally responsible logistics.
