In a strong statement of intent towards greener port operations, Operaciones Portuarias Canarias S.A. (OPCSA) has ordered eight additional hybrid Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes from Konecranes. These advanced cranes are expected to arrive at the Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the second quarter of 2026, further boosting the terminal’s handling capacity and environmental performance.
This new order builds upon a successful partnership that began in 2022, when OPCSA first invested in six Konecranes hybrid RTGs. The positive operational results and strong reliability of those units paved the way for this expanded commitment. According to OPCSA Project Manager Javier Zurita Ramírez, the decision was easy: “The performance of the Konecranes RTGs delivered in 2022 has been exceptional, and we are confident that this next batch will help us scale further while meeting our sustainability goals.”
Sustainable Growth in the Canary Islands
The Port of Las Palmas is one of the busiest container terminals in the Canary Islands, serving as a major transshipment hub between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. As trade volumes grow, so does the pressure on terminal operators to increase throughput without compromising sustainability.
OPCSA’s latest investment is a reflection of this balance. The new RTGs feature hybrid power systems, combining a diesel engine with battery technology to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions compared to conventional diesel cranes. This aligns with global port trends where reducing carbon footprints has become a top operational priority.
Smarter, Safer, Cleaner Cranes
Beyond sustainability, the new RTGs are designed with several intelligent features. Each crane comes equipped with:
- Auto-steering for precise yard movements,
- Truck Lift Prevention to minimize accidents,
- Fire suppression systems in key compartments,
- And hybrid gensets and battery packs to ensure efficient, redundant power usage.
These features don’t just improve environmental performance. They enhance safety and uptime — two factors that are crucial in busy yard operations. The cranes also comply with Konecranes’ Ecolifting program, which focuses on delivering equipment that maximizes the environmental handprint while reducing the operational footprint.
Darryn Scheepers, Sales Director for Port Solutions at Konecranes EMEA, noted, “We are proud to support OPCSA with technology that not only drives performance but also contributes to their decarbonization goals. This partnership showcases the impact our Ecolifting portfolio can make in real-world terminal operations.”
Looking Ahead
The eight hybrid RTGs will be delivered in Q2 2026 and integrated into OPCSA’s growing fleet. With this move, OPCSA is not only enhancing its container handling capacity but also cementing its leadership in sustainable port operations in the Canary Islands.
This investment will likely prompt other regional ports to consider hybrid or fully electric RTGs as part of their future planning. As global logistics shifts towards greener technologies, early adopters like OPCSA are setting the standard for responsible and forward-looking port management.
