HHLA TK Estonia is making a terminal will soon become the first in Europe to operate fully battery powered Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes capable of completing an entire work shift running solely on battery power.
Supplied by heavy equipment manufacturer Konecranes, the new RTGs are scheduled for delivery at the end of 2026. They will be deployed directly into the Muuga container yard as part of the terminal’s ongoing investment in energy efficient infrastructure.
Each crane is outfitted with a massive 296 kWh battery system. This provides up to eight hours of completely independent operation, eliminating the need to continuously connect to external power sources during a standard shift. Unlike conventional diesel powered RTGs, these new units produce zero direct emissions and drastically reduce operational noise levels.
Riia Sillave, CEO of HHLA TK Estonia, highlighted the investment as a critical milestone in the terminal’s long term sustainability strategy, which focuses on incrementally upgrading both infrastructure and heavy equipment.
Tanel Ringo, Technology and Infrastructure Manager at HHLA TK Estonia, pointed out the operational advantages of the deal. Expanding a fleet that already includes several Konecranes units ensures operational consistency. Additionally, having the manufacturer located just across the Gulf of Finland facilitates close collaboration when developing equipment specifically suited to harsh northern climates.
Philipp Reiter, Regional Sales Manager EMEA at Konecranes Port Solutions, noted the broader industry implications of the order. He framed the deployment as clear evidence of a fundamental shift in battery technology moving from a supplementary mitigation tool to a primary power source fully capable of sustaining heavy, full scale container terminal operations.