Hyster, together with Briggs Equipment UK, has delivered what it says is the UK’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered ReachStacker operating in a live port environment, at the Port of Tilbury in Essex.
The machine is powered by a 60 kW Nuvera fuel cell system supporting a 130 kWh lithium-ion battery, with 32 kg of hydrogen stored on board.
According to Hyster, the ReachStacker is designed to operate across a full 12-hour shift and can be refuelled in under 30 minutes.
The machine will run on green hydrogen produced on site using GeoPura infrastructure and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 107,000 kg per year compared with conventional equipment.
“Today is an important milestone in the history of the Port of Tilbury,” said David Housden, Head of Engineering & Procurement at the port. “We are now delivering 100% green hydrogen-powered heavy lifting capability for our customers.”
The project builds on previous Hyster hydrogen trials, including work carried out in Valencia, and is intended to demonstrate whether fuel cell technology can deliver the performance required for high-intensity container handling.
Lucien Robroek, President of Global Big Trucks at Hyster, said the objective was to combine zero tailpipe emissions with performance comparable to an internal combustion engine machine.
Briggs Equipment UK will provide front-line servicing and maintenance, while Hyster will provide additional technical support through its Hypercare programme.
The trial forms part of Forth Ports Group’s wider decarbonisation strategy, which targets net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2042.
