Port of San Diego Demonstrates Tandem Lift Capability of its New All Electric Mobile Harbor Cranes, First in North America

The Port of San Diego's new all-electric Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Cranes are in full operation at the Port's Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT). The two cranes are the first of their kind in North America and help the Port improve public and environmental health, particularly in the Portside Communities of Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Logan Heights, and West National City, while also supporting clean, modern, and efficient maritime operations.

During a ceremony held at TAMT with state and local leaders, partners, stakeholders, and community members, the Port demonstrated the crane system's tandem-lift capabilities, which was narrated by ILWU Local 29 president Anthony Soniga. Afterward, attendees had an opportunity to tour the cranes.

"Our all-new, all-electric cranes meet our dual-focused maritime mission - delivering cleaner air for our communities and delivering goods our families and businesses rely on such as geo-thermal, solar and wind farm parts that will help strengthen the power grid for the southwestern U.S.," said Chairman Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. "We're improving air quality, driving commerce, and supporting good jobs. Everybody wins."

"These new cranes will advance the state's clean energy goals while amplifying the Port's tremendous economic impact on the San Diego County region," stated State Controller Malia M. Cohen and Chair of the State Lands Commission. "I believe that with continued investments in innovative clean energy infrastructure, workforce development and job training, paired with ongoing meaningful community engagement and inclusion, and collaborative leadership, we can build a better tomorrow with thriving communities, a sustainable economy, and a vibrant port industry."

"California's ports play a significant role in the state's goods movement, and now they are playing a significant role in improving the state's air quality for the benefit of public health, especially in portside communities that have for years breathed unhealthful air," said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. "CARB is proud to support the Port of San Diego in its efforts to reduce emissions across all of its operations, including the introduction of the first electric harbor cranes in North America."

"San Diego is making history with the first all-electric mobile cranes in the country! Not only will they contribute to our overall economy because they can carry more weight than diesel-powered cranes, but they will also improve the environmental health for our communities," stated Assemblymember Tasha Boerner. "California is making strides toward a green energy future, and the Port of San Diego is playing its part in leading the charge."

"The Port of San Diego's deployment of the first all-electric mobile cranes in North America continues to prove economic prosperity and environmental stewardship work in tandem along the waterfront," said Chair of Environment Committee and Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava, City of San Diegos. "Electrification is the future-we are modernizing equipment, reducing harmful pollutants, and improving air quality for our portside communities. The Port is leading in the replacement of diesel-powered equipment and being at the forefront of deploying clean infrastructure."

The all-electric cranes built by Konecranes are replacing the Port's old diesel-powered crane. The conversion from a diesel-powered crane to an all-electric crane system is a big step toward achieving one goal of the Port's Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS) of transitioning all cargo handling equipment to zero emissions by 2030.

In addition to the public health and environmental benefits, the new crane system allows the Port to compete for more business. The cranes represent the heaviest lift capability of any port crane system currently in place on the U.S. West Coast - up to 400 metric tons (MT). Most of the heavy-lift cargoes destined for this region weigh more than 200 MT, including larger pieces of solar, wind, and industrial energy equipment as well as project cargoes. With their heavier capacity and faster offloading speed, the new cranes also better serve our existing operations when crane movements are needed. Some of the target cargo for the two cranes will be electric grid strengthening projects including geo-thermal, solar and wind farms specifically in Arizona, Nevada, Southern California and Utah.

In support of the MCAS, the Port and various partners, have invested or committed nearly $125 million in clean air technologies and infrastructure projects, including the new electric cranes. The Port is also:

• Home to the first all-electric tugboat in the United States, operated by Crowley Shipping.
• Adding more shore power at its cargo and cruise terminals.
• Operating a new solar-powered microgrid at TAMT.
• Deploying a maritime emissions capture and control system, also known as a bonnet, for vessels that aren't yet shore power capable. It's expected to begin operating in 2025.
• Continuing its partnership with SANDAG to complete design and construction funding for Harbor Drive 2.0, which includes intelligent transportation systems to separate trucks from regular traffic, encourages port-related trucks to stay off neighborhood streets in Barrio Logan, and reduces diesel and greenhouse gas emissions. Added benefits include improved pedestrian, bicycle, and transit connections, and urban greening.
• Electrifying the Port's fleet, including electric work trucks, vans, and service vehicles.
• Supporting tenant electrification efforts, including:
  • Terminalift - electric reach stacker, forklifts, and two on-road semi-trucks.
  • SSA Marine - six new pieces of electric cargo handling equipment, including a recently deployed forklift.
  • Pasha - first all-electric car haulers in the U.S.
  • Dole - first on the West Coast to use battery-electric utility tractor rigs (UTRs) for cargo handling.

The Port purchased the battery supported electric cranes from Konecranes for approximately $14 million, paid for through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and California Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Funds, administered by the California State Lands Commission. The Port also spent an additional $8.9 million on electrical infrastructure improvements to support the cranes, which included $2.7 million in grant funding from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.

TAMT, one of the Port's two marine cargo terminals, serves as an omni-cargo terminal consisting of a 96-acre facility and handles breakbulk, bulk, container, and project cargos for solar, wind and hydroelectric power installations, steel, and engines used in local shipbuilding as well as private yachts, refrigerated cargo, soda ash, sugar, paper reams, and more.

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