Mormugao port pioneering green initiatives with electric trucks, hybrid cranes

The port is set to introduce battery-powered trucks and hybrid-electric harbour cranes imported from Germany for container operations, marking a significant shift towards sustainable operations. Currently all the trucks operating within the port run on diesel, contributing to
emissions and pollution.

Delta Ports Mormugao Terminal pvt ltd, the private operator for berths 10 and 11, will introduce the electric heavy vehicles in Jan for operations at the two berths. The Liebherr mobile harbour crane is powered by a diesel engine and two electric motors. The maximum load capacity of the crane is 124 tonnes and it can handle up to 38 containers per hour with its hybrid drive. MPA will get two of these mobile harbour cranes. “We ordered electrical tipper trucks of 28 tons capacity with Olectra. We will start with five numbers and then will start adding to it,” said an official with Delta Ports.

By transitioning to zero emission trucks, the port aims to achieve its vision of a fully electrified port, aligning with national sustainability goals such as the Harit Sagar guidelines and the Centre’s initiative to make all 12 major ports in the country carbon neutral by 2047. Chairman of Delta Ports Ahmed Mohiuddin confirmed that the electric vehicles will commence operations in early 2025.

MPA chairman N Vinodkumar said that the port is working to bring in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles to reduce port emissions.

MPA currently generates 32,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year, and the port embarked on a series of initiatives to cut that down. Once the electric trucks and hybrid mobile harbour cranes are brought in, MPA will join JNPT, Cochin Port, Adani Ports, and a few others that introduced electric vehicles to cut down port emissions.

Delta Ports also plans to install a conveyor belt to directly transport fertilisers and other cargo to the shed for efficiency and prevent cargo contamination.