Kalmar has secured an order for 10 fully electric straddle carriers from the Port of Virginia in the United States. The equipment will be deployed at Norfolk International Terminals (NIT), the port’s largest container terminal.
The order was recorded in Kalmar’s third-quarter 2026 order intake. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed during the third quarter of 2027.
The new electric straddle carriers will support the port’s efforts to reduce emissions and improve operational safety. The Port of Virginia aims to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2040.
The straddle carriers will feature lithium-ion batteries designed for heavy-duty operations. According to Kalmar, the equipment can operate for up to 600 minutes.
Each machine will also include the Kalmar Collision Warning System. The technology uses visual and audible alerts to warn operators about potential collision risks.
“Integrating these fully electric Kalmar straddle carriers with the Collision Warning System into our operations is a vital step in our journey to create safer and more sustainable operations,” said Patrick Jefferson, Director of Operations at Norfolk International Terminals.
NIT is undergoing an expansion that will increase its annual terminal capacity to 3.6 million TEUs. Following completion of the equipment delivery, the terminal is expected to have more than 90 semi-automated stacking cranes and 113 Kalmar hybrid straddle carriers, alongside the newly ordered electric equipment.
The Port of Virginia also operates Virginia International Gateway (VIG), another semi-automated container terminal.
Kalmar and the Port of Virginia have maintained a commercial relationship since 2007. The latest order extends their cooperation as the port continues investing in container-handling equipment and terminal operations.
The financial value of the order was not disclosed.
