Port of Auckland and Wellington’s CentrePort will be the first ports in Aotearoa New Zealand to invest in electric empty container handlers thanks to funding from EECA’s Low Emission Transport Fund.

Port of Auckland and Wellington’s CentrePort have each been approved co-funding of $500,000 towards procuring an electric empty container handler (ECH), as well as associated on-port charging infrastructure.

It is the first time the LETF, which focuses on activities in the transport sector that move people and/or goods on roads, off-road, and in the marine and aviation sectors, has approved co-funding for electric ECHs, which are large, forklift-type pieces of equipment used to move and store empty containers.

EECA GM Transport Richard Briggs said the co-funding will allow the ports to demonstrate to others around New Zealand, as well as shareholders, how a critical link in the supply chain can be electrified, with safe, reliable technology.

“With no electric ECHs in New Zealand, and only a few in Australia, integrating these pieces of equipment into daily operations will give confidence to the sector as well as help develop zero-emissions supply chains, integrating with other electric-powered equipment and vehicles,” he said.

Port of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest import port, will procure an electric ECH and its charger, and will set up the infrastructure for its operation.

Port of Auckland currently has six diesel empty container handlers. It estimates replacing one of its diesel ECHs with an electric model will reduce the port’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 670,977kg CO₂e over 10 years.

Port of Auckland Limited chief executive officer Roger Gray said: “As New Zealand’s largest import port, we want to help lead the adoption of electric and emissions-free port equipment.

“We’ve had great success with Sparky, the world’s first full-sized electric tugboat, and we’re pleased to see more emissions-free cargo handling options become available,” he said.

“This is a great step forward for the port industry.”

CentrePort CEO Anthony Delaney said large mobile plant operating in the port’s container terminal and depot accounted for 33 percent of its scope 1 and 2 emissions.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to reduce these emissions with the support of EECA, and as part of our wider systems approach to emissions reduction,” he said.

“Our objectives are aligned and the need for flexibility to ensure economic viability of projects is well considered.”

$3.3 million has been allocated in LETF Round 13, leveraging $6.7 million in private funding. Successful applicants include a large-scale bus depot charging system, electric trailer axle technology, electric digger technology, and battery storage rapid EV charging infrastructure with the potential to earn revenue through trading on the energy market.

Funding covers up to 50% of a project’s costs, up to $500,000.

Round 14 of LETF funding is now open. Vehicle, Technology, Off-road and Marine projects are eligible.