Konecranes moves into Li-ion battery powered AGVs with HHLA order

Earlier this year Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) ordered 25 Konecranes Gottwald AGVs Li-ion battery drives for its Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) for delivery in the spring of 2018. The order also includes six fully automated quick chargers. Li-Ion batteries charge about four-times as quickly as conventional batteries.

“With our entry into lithium-ion battery drive technology, we are continuing to develop consistently in terms of efficient and sustainable container handling,” said Jens Hansen, board member and coo of HHLA.

Konecranes supplied its first AGVs to HHLA in 2001 and delivered AGVs with lead-acid batteries in 2011, the first of their type on the market.

Klaus Peter Hoffmann, vice president, integration, port solutions, Konecranes said: “With the Li-ion batteries, we are now able to offer terminal operators a battery with greater efficiency at lower deadweights and up to three times the number of charging cycles in comparison to lead-acid batteries.

“Since the Li-ion batteries can be charged around four times faster, it is also possible to charge in the vehicle in connection with an automated quick charger.”

This provides for electrification of brownfield terminals without major infrastructure investment.