We are an industry-wide strategic alliance, dedicated to making battery-electric container handling equipment affordable and accessible.

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Working for a net-zero port industry

Container handling equipment is a critical enabler of port operations, used to move containers on and off ships across the world’s container ports.

An aerial view of a bustling container port, showing rows of multicolored shipping containers organized across the terminal, with cranes and equipment used to handle and move containers. Represents the scale of global container ports, with 940 ports around the world.

940 container ports around the world

A stack of colorful shipping containers piled high in an open yard, with a forklift positioned nearby, ready to move containers. Highlights the widespread use of container handling equipment, with 120,000 units globally.

120,000 container handling equipment units

Large cranes stationed at a port, lifting containers onto and off ships, with a docked vessel and containers visible. Illustrates the environmental impact of port operations, contributing 10-15 million tons of CO₂ emissions each year.

10-15 million tons of CO2e every year

The numbers

100,000 – 120,000 container handling equipment units need to be decarbonized;

Two orange terminal tractors parked near stacked shipping containers, used to transport containers within port terminals. Represents approximately 52,000 units worldwide, contributing around 3-4 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

Terminal tractors

~52,000 units
~3-4 MtCO2e
A large, yellow straddle carrier positioned in a port, used to lift and transport containers across the yard. There are about 7,500 units in use globally, emitting an estimated 1-2 million tons of CO₂ each year.

Straddle carriers

~7,500 units
~1-2 MtCO2e
A red lift truck lifting a container against a backdrop of stacked containers and a clear sky. This equipment, of which around 9,300 units exist, emits approximately 1-2 million tons of CO₂ annually.

Lift trucks

~9,300 units
~1-2 MtCO2e
Large green rubber-tyred gantry cranes in a container yard, positioned above stacks of multicolored shipping containers, used to move containers within the yard area. There are around 21,300 of these units globally, producing an estimated 3-4 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

Rubber tyred gantry1

~21,300 units
~3-4 MtCO2e
Multiple blue and red ship-to-shore cranes at a port terminal, designed for moving containers between ships and the dock. Approximately 7,800 units are in operation worldwide, contributing around 2-3 million tons of CO₂ emissions each year.

Ship-to-shore

~7,800 units
~2-3 MtCO2e

Source: Reaching a tipping point in Battery-Electric Container Handling Equipment, 2023. RTGs can be untethered in some cases.

Why ZEPA?

The challenges and benefits of battery-electric

Battery-electric container handling equipment is not yet competitive on affordability & accessibility with diesel – several levers can close the gap and accelerate adoption

Affordability

Challenge: BE-CHE is currently more expensive than diesel CHE

Accessibility

Challenge: BE-CHE value chain does not have the scale required for a large roll-out, implementation is often complex

Attractiveness

Immediate benefits: BE-CHE immediately eliminates stailpipe emissions

Levers to improve competitiveness (focus of ZEPA)

Benefits

  • Technology learning effects
  • Reduced charging downtime
  • Standardisation & decoupling
  • Scaled production capacity
  • Standardisation & decoupling
  • Power purchase agreements
  • Workforce training

Benefits

  • No scope 1 emissions
  • Lower scope 2 emissions
  • No air pollutants
  • Lower levels of vibration & noise

Source: Reaching a tipping point in Battery-Electric Container Handling Equipment, 2023

Why ZEPA?

ZEPA aims to accelerate port decarbonization by making battery-electric container handling equipment affordable and accessible this decade

MISSION

Make untethered battery-electric container handling equipment affordable and accessible by 2030

VISION

Accelerate port decarbonization

Aerial view of a container storage area at a port, showing neatly aligned rows of shipping containers in various sizes, with a single piece of container handling equipment positioned on the right side. The image, presented in monochromatic blue tones, emphasizes the scale and organization involved in port logistics.
Why BE-CHE?

Port stakeholders to accelerate their decarbonization efforts

Zero-emission CHE is battery-electric or hydrogen-electric. Our analysis shows that battery-electric CHE is the more realistic solution in the short to medium-term. It is not yet competitive on affordability and accessibility with diesel, but it can become the cheapest option in the next 2-8 years.

Read out the analyses

Terminal Operators

For terminal operators, meeting emission reduction targets requires the decarbonization of CHE, which accounts for ~50-60% of their scope 1 and scope 2 emissions.

OEMs

For OEMs, meeting terminal operators’ transition requirements is a clear commercial opportunity to develop low-emission CHE. Additionally, it reduces their downstream scope 3 emissions from equipment use.

Port Authorities

For port authorities, decarbonizing CHE (Container Handling Equipment) is essential to meet emission reduction targets (both at port- and national level) and to deliver environmental and social benefits, such as better air quality and lower healthcare costs.

Shipping line operators

For shipping line operators, decarbonizing CHE is required to abate scope 3 emissions and meet growing demand from beneficial cargo owners for end-to-end low-carbon supply chains.

ZEPA takes collective action across 4 workstreams to accelerate the adoption of battery-electric CHE

Two workers in hard hats and safety vests discussing logistics in front of stacked shipping containers. This image represents the concept of Projected Demand in port operations, highlighting the need for planning to meet future growth.

Projected Demand

A male and female worker in protective gear reviewing plans in a container yard as the sun sets. This image represents Voluntary Design Standards, focusing on safety and organization in container handling.

Voluntary Design Standards

A panoramic view of a busy port with cranes and container ships illuminated at dusk. This image symbolizes Power Infrastructure Roll-out, emphasizing the energy needs and infrastructure development in port operations.

Power Infrastructure Roll-out

Aerial view of a port with containers and cranes lined up along the waterfront with turquoise water visible. This image represents Adoption Incentives, suggesting efforts to modernize and streamline port operations through incentives for improved equipment and technology.

Adoption Incentives