Kalmar has signed a new agreement with PSA Antwerp for the supply of 14 hybrid straddle carriers intended for operations at the North Sea Terminal in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The order was registered in the first quarter of 2026 and deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter of the year.
The operation continues the commercial relationship between both companies just a few days after PSA Antwerp received another batch of 18 hybrid units manufactured by Kalmar. With this new contract, the Belgian operator maintains its fleet renewal line with equipment aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions associated with daily container handling.
The hybrid straddle carriers combine a diesel engine with an onboard integrated battery system. This configuration allows for capturing and reusing energy during operations, with the aim of cutting fuel usage compared to conventional diesel machines. According to the information provided by the companies, this technology also reduces CO₂ emissions without altering the productivity required at container terminals with high levels of activity.
PSA Antwerp has indicated that the new units will replace older diesel machines and will be integrated into daily work at the North Sea Terminal. The company estimates that the renewal of this part of its fleet will reduce annual emissions by around 1,180 tons. Additionally, there is a reduced need for maintenance compared to previous equipment, while the overall container handling capacity will remain at current levels.
The CEO of PSA Antwerp, Jurgen De Wachter, stated that the hybrid straddle carriers are part of a broader modernization plan for terminal equipment and emissions reduction in daily operations. The purchase fits into a strategy that is leading various European port operators to replace conventional equipment with mid-transition energy solutions, especially in environments where total electrification still requires new infrastructure adjustments or longer investment timelines.
From Kalmar, Damien Cols, director of global customers, pointed out that PSA Antwerp is once again opting for this hybrid technology to improve the environmental efficiency of its cargo handling operations at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The manufacturer claims that this type of machinery allows operators to reduce the carbon footprint of their terminals without introducing changes that penalize operational performance.
The announcement comes just a few days after the delivery of 18 hybrid straddle carriers to PSA Antwerp, transported aboard the heavy-lift vessel Diamantgracht, from the shipping company Spliethoff. The unloading took place at the North Sea Terminal, where the units will be integrated into the regular service of the terminal. That batch included ten machines with stacking capacity for containers at three heights and another eight designed to work with stacking at four heights, a configuration that allows the fleet to adapt to different operational density needs within the facility.
The sum of both operations confirms a phase of progressive renewal of PSA Antwerp's yard machinery at one of Europe's main port enclaves. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges occupies a central position in northern continent container traffic, and the equipment updates in its terminals are part of a broader trend that combines energy efficiency criteria, emission reduction, and operational cost control.
In this context, hybrid straddle carriers have become a transition solution for terminals seeking to reduce diesel consumption without completely changing their work schemes. Instead of an immediate replacement with fully electric equipment, hybrid technology offers operators a way to lower emissions and consumption while maintaining an operational architecture familiar to technical and maintenance teams.
