New machinery takes good care of the environment

The Port of Turku’s Maintenance department has introduced a new eCanter truck.

“The truck is quiet and emission-free. It is very well suited to our use. The old vehicle with combustion engine will be sold”, says Site Manager Mikko Tuomi.

The truck is used to carry, for example, tools, machinery and light port structures repaired in the own workshop – such as railings and stairs.

The eCanter will also be equipped with a hydraulics generator which produces electricity e.g. for welding or water pumps. Then a fuel-powered generator will no longer be needed for producing electricity.

“Overnight loading of the two battery modules of the vehicle allows for around 120 kilometres of driving”, Mr Tuomi calculates.

Goal at carbon neutral operations

Markku Alahäme, Technical Director of the Port tells that in addition to the lightweight truck, the Port has six electric vans and four passenger cars. In the future, when the technology will have advanced enough, e.g. electrically powered tractors will probably be used in the area.

“Electric machinery helps us in meeting our emission goals. Like the City of Turku, the Port also intends to be carbon neutral by 2029”, Mr Alahäme reminds.

Cleaner outcome faster than before with a road sweeper

The new machinery of the Maintenance department also includes a more powerful road sweeper Beam S9000.

“The Beam has, for example, a high-pressure washer, high brushing speed and excellent suction power. It produces much cleaner outcome and faster compared to our old machine”, Mr Tuomi says.
Speed and efficiency help save fuel. The emission class of the road sweeper is also significantly better compared to its predecessor.

“Efficient cleaning of the port is also important in order to prevent sand, gravel or e.g. salt and soy that may fall from bulk loads to the ground from ending up in the sea.”

Sludge wagon has already received lots of positive feedback

The Port has for a couple of year been using a sludge wagon that collects waste water from cargo ships in particular.

“We have received positive feedback regarding the service. The Port of Turku is a pioneer in the handling of waste water from vessels at national level”, Mr Tuomi says.

The waste water collected from ships is forwarded to the Kakola purification plant, and Gasum uses the sludge in the waste water to produce biogas in its plant in Oriketo district. The sludge trucks operating between Kakola and Oriketo also run by biogas.

Text: Matti Välimäki
Photos: Ilari Välimäki