International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) said it is acquiring four new hybrid automatic container carriers (ACCs) from Kalmar for its Australia operation, Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) at the Port of Melbourne, to expand capacity and reduce emissions.
“The new carriers, scheduled for delivery in 2025, will each feature a twin-box lifting capacity of up to 60 tons and Kalmar’s latest hybrid technology with lithium-ion batteries for energy recovery,” the company said in a statement.
“This technology contributes to a 40 percent increase in energy efficiency and a 50-ton CO2 emission reduction per carrier annually,” it added.
Bruno Porchietto, VICT chief executive officer (CEO), said the new ACCs are part of an expansion plan, which will increase VICT capacity to 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to customer focus, innovation, and sustainability, ensuring we can meet the growing demand for our services while minimizing our environmental impact,” he also said.
ICTSI said the investment follows a record year for VICT in 2024, when it handled its five millionth TEU since opening in 2017.
“The terminal continues its technological expansion to support its growing customer base,” it said.
VICT is the only fully automated container terminal in the Southern Hemisphere. It operates seven remotely controlled ship-to-shore cranes (five super post-Panamax and two ultra post-Panamax – the largest in Australia), 17 ACCs, and 26 automated stacking cranes (ASCs).
ICTSI said all VICT cranes are equipped with energy recovery systems, contributing to the terminal’s energy efficiency and CO2 emission reduction goals.
The development complements the view of stockbroker RCBC Securities Inc., which in a January 30 note to investors said that ICTSI will post sustained volumes and margins for the year given its geographically diverse ports. RCBC Securities also said that it is “positive” on ICTSI’s investments in Visayas and Mindanao terminals.