Grindrod Logistics, in partnership with General Heavy Marine (GHM), has launched a pilot deployment of South Africa’s first fully electric reach stacker, the SANY SRSC45E3. This milestone marks a major advancement in sustainable port operations and electric container handling equipment within the South African logistics sector.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to green logistics, operational efficiency and measurable carbon reduction across port and depot infrastructure.

A Strategic Partnership Driving Innovation

Through this partnership, GHM provides equipment expertise and technical support, while Grindrod Logistics delivers the operational platform to test and validate electric heavy equipment in live depot conditions.

Together, the organisations are evaluating the commercial viability, environmental impact and operational performance of electric reach stacker technology in South Africa. The pilot demonstrates how strategic logistics partnerships can accelerate scalable decarbonisation solutions within port operations.

Driving Sustainable Port and Depot Operations

As global supply chains prioritise decarbonisation and emissions reduction, Grindrod Logistics continues to invest in technologies that lower environmental impact while maintaining high productivity standards.

The SANY SRSC45E3 electric reach stacker delivers zero tailpipe emissions, reduced noise pollution and lower maintenance requirements compared to traditional diesel-powered reach stackers. Importantly, it maintains the lifting capacity, reliability and performance required in demanding container handling environments.

This deployment positions Grindrod Logistics at the forefront of sustainable logistics innovation in South Africa.

Performance, Energy Efficiency and Total Cost of Ownership

The SANY SRSC45E3 is engineered to deliver measurable energy efficiency and long-term cost savings in port and depot operations.

Key features include:

• Direct motor drive with stepless speed regulation and no gearbox, significantly improving energy efficiency

• Energy recovery systems that capture braking and lowering energy to extend operating range

• Eight to ten hours of continuous operation on a single charge

• Fast dual-gun charging capability, achieving full charge within approximately one to one and a half hours

• Significant fuel and energy cost savings compared to internal combustion engine equipment

Lifecycle cost modelling indicates strong total cost of ownership benefits, reinforcing the commercial case for electric container handling equipment within modern logistics fleets.

Advanced Safety and Intelligent Equipment Design

The electric reach stacker integrates advanced safety systems and intelligent controls designed for high-performance port and depot environments. These include:

• Anti-rollover and anti-collision technology

• Laser-based obstacle detection with automatic braking

• Integrated fire suppression systems

• Enhanced operator ergonomics and intelligent control systems

These features support improved safety performance, higher equipment uptime and greater operator confidence in daily operations.

Measuring Impact and Scaling Green Logistics Solutions

During the pilot phase, Grindrod Logistics and GHM will monitor energy consumption, uptime, emissions reduction, maintenance requirements and overall operational efficiency. The results will inform future fleet strategy and potential wider deployment of electric reach stackers across South African terminals and logistics hubs.

By integrating electric heavy equipment into its operations, Grindrod Logistics continues to lead the transition toward sustainable port operations, low-emission container handling and future-focused logistics infrastructure in South Africa.