Kalmar to deliver first dual-purpose electric reachstacker to Poland

Kalmar’s first electric reachstacker equipped with both a side-tilt spreader and a slab gripper proves that specialized heavy-lift attachments are no longer a barrier to terminal electrification. The order for Polish operator POK Zachód, scheduled for delivery in Q2 2027, allows a single zero-emission machine to pivot between containerised bulk and 33-tonne steel slabs.

Kalmar booked the order in its Q3 2026 intake for the new POK Green Park logistics facility in Wojkowice. The European Union’s Just Transition Fund (FST) is co-financing the project to support the terminal’s transition toward zero emissions.

The machine features a 533 kWh battery pack and a 45-tonne lifting capacity. Its side-tilt spreader can rotate 20-foot or 40-foot containers by 55 degrees to discharge bulk cargo, incorporating cabin-controlled systems to shake the container and hold doors open. The hydraulic gripper handles steel slabs up to 33 tonnes.

Why it matters

Terminal operators often view electrification as a trade-off against versatility. High-energy attachments like side-tilters and hydraulic grippers demand heavy power, which has historically favoured diesel engines. This machine suggests battery technology has matured enough to handle demanding mechanical tasks without sacrificing the ability to switch between cargo types on a single platform.

For bulk shippers, this equipment supports the shift toward containerised bulk logistics. By using a reachstacker that can shake and tilt containers to release stuck material, POK Zachód can process bulk commodities through a standard container footprint. This removes the need for fixed discharge infrastructure and allows the terminal to remain flexible as market demand shifts between bulk and breakbulk steel.

The involvement of the EU Just Transition Fund is the financial catalyst. The fund is bridging the capital expenditure gap between conventional diesel units and high-spec electric alternatives. This subsidy model allows regional terminals to adopt specialized, zero-emission technology that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive for smaller operations.

What to watch

The delivery of the unit in Q2 2027 will provide the first data on how a 533 kWh battery manages the combined power draw of a side-tilt spreader and a heavy slab gripper during high-intensity shifts.

Source: World Cargo News