The Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) at the Port of Melbourne onThursday announced the acquisition of four hybrid automatic container carriers (ACCs) from Kalmar, marking a significant step in its ongoing expansion and sustainability efforts. Operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), VICT’s investment in these advanced carriers underscores its commitment to improving capacity while reducing environmental impact.
Set for delivery this year, the new hybrid ACCs will feature a twin-box lifting capacity of up to 60 tons, along with Kalmar’s latest hybrid technology, including lithium-ion batteries for energy recovery. This innovative system will enhance energy efficiency by 40 percent and cut CO2 emissions by an estimated 50 tons per carrier annually.
Bruno Porchietto, CEO of VICT, emphasized the strategic importance of the purchase: “These new hybrid carriers are part of our expansion plan, which will increase our capacity to 1.5 million TEUs annually. This investment demonstrates our commitment to customer focus, innovation, and sustainability, ensuring we can meet the growing demand for our services while minimizing our environmental impact.”
VICT is the only fully automated container terminal in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring seven remotely controlled ship-to-shore cranes, 17 ACCs, and 26 automated stacking cranes (ASCs). The terminal also boasts energy-efficient cranes equipped with recovery systems, aligning with its broader goals of reducing CO2 emissions and improving energy performance.
This acquisition follows a record year for VICT in 2024, when it handled its five millionth TEU since opening in 2017. The terminal’s investment in cutting-edge technology positions it to support an expanding customer base while advancing its sustainability initiatives.
The deal with Kalmar further strengthens the relationship between the two companies, with Porchietto noting, “We value our partnership with Kalmar and their technical support.”
VICT’s strategic focus on automation, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction reinforces ICTSI’s broader goal of driving innovation across its portfolio of terminals worldwide.
