Mi-Jack to convert RTG crane to hydrogen powered

Image: Shuttersock

Hazel Crest, Ill., based rubber tired gantry (RTG) crane manufacturer Mi-Jack has selected US Hybrid to convert an RTG crane from diesel to hydrogen powered.

“The new reality for intermodal terminals is achieving carbon neutrality. Offering hydrogen-powered RTG cranes is paramount for ensuring terminals meet their carbon neutrality goals without compromising on performance,” says Aaron Newton, VP of Sales at Mi-Jack. “We look forward to collaborating with US Hybrid on bringing innovative hydrogen-powered solutions to the intermodal market.”

Under the terms of the agreement, US Hybrid, a subsidiary of Ideanomics (NASDAQ: IDEX), a major player in port electrification, is managing all procurement, engineering and design work relating to the hydrogen propulsion kit. The company will source a hydrogen fuel cell system from Hyundai Motor Corp, and will locally manufacture core components including the hydrogen storage tanks and cooling systems.

All manufacturing, assembly and system testing will occur at US Hybrid’s engineering facility in Torrance, California. Mi-Jack will install the hydrogen propulsion kit into the RTG crane at its Illinois facility, with US Hybrid providing all necessary engineering diagrams and on-site support.

RTG cranes are seen as one of the hardest to decarbonize pieces of equipment in ports and railyards. They operate 10-20 hours per day, continuously lifting shipping containers that can weigh nearly 80,000 pounds when fully loaded.

This job requires a lot of power, and most RTG cranes still rely on fossil fuels to meet this need. On average, a RTG crane burns 10 US gallons of diesel fuel per hour. One gallon of diesel emits 22 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere.

The advantages of hydrogen as a greener option for RTG cranes include that hydrogen fuel cells can be refilled fast, are proven to operate efficiently in extreme hot and cold weather, and deliver the same or more power as diesel. Powered by hydrogen, RTG cranes can keep operating reliably with zero emissions.

US Hybrid has a track record in decarbonizing port equipment and machinery as well as other specialty vehicles. The company has strategic partnerships with International OEMs to convert new and existing ICE powered port equipment to zero emission, and is working to develop zero emission buses and trucks.

Ideanomics says it is committed to supporting the growth of US Hybrid. I“For our exceptional engineers at US Hybrid, this is a dream project. They get to come up with a zero-emission way to power a very big and energy intensive piece of machinery,” says Macy Neshati, Chief Commercial Officer at Ideanomics. “I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Mi-Jack for taking action to decarbonize gantry cranes and trusting US Hybrid as their partner to do it.”