• 4 min de lectura
• 4 min de lectura
Hyster and its local authorized dealer, Briggs Equipment UK, announced the delivery of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered reachstacker to the Port of Tilbury, in Essex, UK. This is the first HFC ReachStacker to be deployed and fully operational in a real port application in the UK.
"This marks a significant milestone in the history of the Port of Tilbury, as we welcome the UK's first hydrogen fuel cell ReachStacker to our container operations. After collaborating with our project partners, Hyster and Briggs Equipment, for the past two years, we now offer our customers 100% green hydrogen-powered heavy-duty lifting capacity," said David Housden, Head of Engineering and Procurement at the Port of Tilbury.
Building on the experience of previous pilot programs, including the Valencia HFC ReachStacker which concluded last year, Hyster and Nuvera have optimized and correctly sized the fuel cell system. This Hyster ReachStacker operates with a 60 kW Nuvera fuel cell engine that converts hydrogen into electricity to power a 130 kWh lithium-ion battery and incorporates Hyster's standardized software architecture used in other electric products of the brand.
The innovative reachstacker is expected to help the Port of Tilbury reduce its carbon footprint by over 107,000 kilograms per year. The terminal is part of the Forth Ports Group, which is working to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2042.
"While eliminating exhaust emissions has been the primary driver of this pioneering collaboration, it was also critical to develop a solution that was up to the task, offering comparable performance and robustness to an internal combustion engine machine," said Lucien Robroek, President of Hyster's Global Heavy Lift Division.
"We look forward to seeing the hydrogen fuel cell ReachStacker in action, tackling intense duty cycles and helping to demonstrate how hydrogen fuel cell technology can support the future of high-intensity port operations, while driving the Port of Tilbury's energy transition goals," added Robroek.
High-pressure tanks will store 32 kilograms of hydrogen on board, allowing for extended range and operational productivity during a full 12-hour shift. The HFC ReachStacker can be refueled in less than 30 minutes and will run exclusively on green hydrogen, produced with a GeoPura electrolyzer.
Together, these capabilities will help demonstrate the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology to support demanding port operations, while driving sustainability goals.
"This pre-production trial marks a milestone for our company as we introduce cutting-edge clean and alternative energy solutions into our port operations. The project is supported by GeoPura's on-site green hydrogen production, supply, and refueling infrastructure, and the ReachStacker demonstrates our commitment to decarbonizing our operations and our transition to more sustainable port logistics," indicated Housden.
As a long-standing customer of Briggs Equipment, the Port of Tilbury will benefit from the same high level of technical support it receives for its current Hyster fleet. Briggs Equipment will provide frontline technical and maintenance support for the ReachStacker, while Hyster's Hypercare program, a reinforced factory backup for this innovative application.
"We are excited to be part of this milestone and to welcome the UK's first hydrogen fuel cell reachstacker to the Port of Tilbury. Briggs maintains a strong and lasting collaboration with the Port of Tilbury, and we are proud to support their transition to a low-carbon future. This innovative hydrogen project demonstrates what is possible when sustainability and innovation combine, setting a benchmark in the sector and driving efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve a transition to cleaner operations," stated Mike Parkin, Director of Ports and Large Equipment at Briggs Equipment UK.
Hyster experts will work closely with Briggs and the Port of Tilbury to support the hydrogen fuel cell and high-voltage systems, offering specialized technical knowledge and on-site assistance throughout the project. This collaborative approach combines the support of a trusted dealer with factory expertise, allowing the British terminal to evaluate hydrogen fuel cell technology in demanding port applications, while maintaining operational productivity.