Zero Emission Port Alliance adds members in push to decarbonise container handling

ZEPA has welcomed new leading port industry members Ampcontrol, Kalmar and PSA Antwerp. The group now has 14 members and expects additional members to join in the coming months.

Together, this extended alliance has committed to the collective action needed to speed up port decarbonisation by adopting battery-electric container handling equipment (BE-CHE).

ZEPA said it has identified significant demand within the industry for BE-CHE and has encouraged the take-up of voluntary decarbonisation standard-setting, as well as recognising power grids as critical enablers.

ZEPA also recently launched its 2025 Work Programme at maritime conference, TOC, in Rotterdam, which saw it renew its priorities to scale BE-CHE and introduce four workstreams focusing on critical topics that enable further BE-CHE adoption.

APM Terminals head of business implementation management Jack Craig said, “We have come a long way both as APM Terminals and with ZEPA, since we co-founded it in 2023. For APM Terminals, it is important we keep addressing the structural barriers and collective benefits of decarbonising our industry and also work on the common language across the ecosystem on voluntary standards and frameworks. With the new joining members, we have a strong team to move on the agenda with a tipping point for affordable and accessible electrified equipment within reach.

Additionally, DP World group chief operating officer Tiemen Meester shared, “I’m pleased to welcome the new members to the Zero Emission Port Alliance and look forward to working together to drive progress on our shared mission: decarbonising the container port industry. We’ve already made important strides as an alliance, but we cannot afford to lose momentum. One of the most pressing challenges ahead is ensuring our power infrastructure keeps pace with the transition to zero-emissions equipment and that will require deep collaboration across the sector.”

PSA Belgium managing director Edward Tah highlighted, “By joining ZEPA, we reaffirm PSA Antwerp’s commitment to driving port decarbonisation. As the first terminal on the European mainland to introduce a fully electric straddle carrier, we have already taken a pioneering role. Through this alliance, we aim to accelerate the transition by scaling up zero-emissions equipment in collaboration with industry leaders worldwide. The cross value chain nature of ZEPA is crucial – it brings together terminals, OEMs and ports to overcome challenges in standardisation and cost of investments.”

The alliance is open to all industry partners and is run by Systemiq as an independent third-party secretariat. ZEPA invites terminal operators, OEMs and port authorities to join this initiative.

For more information on the work programme and how to get involved visit www.zepalliance.com.