Moving the industry forward together: 1,000 hybrid straddle carriers and counting

Kalmar has just reached one such moment: more than 1,000 hybrid straddle carriers sold worldwide. Behind that number sits a long list of customers across the globe who chose to invest in hybrid technology and, in doing so, took an active role in shaping where container handling is headed.

Customers leading the way

When Kalmar first started the development of its hybrid straddle carrier, the goal was straightforward on paper but more challenging in practice: to give customers a way to reduce fuel consumption and emissions without asking them to compromise on the performance, flexibility and reliability that demanding container operations require.

Years on, the adoption of hybrid technology tells its own story. Sustainability and productivity do not have to pull in opposite directions. Customers that chose hybrid equipment have been able to reduce their emissions footprint while continuing to rely on the capabilities and operating model they know and trust.

"Reaching 1,000 hybrid straddle carriers is a significant milestone, but what is most important is what that number represents," says Outi Määttä, Vice President of Global Sales, Horizontal Transportation, Kalmar. "It represents decisions by customers to embrace new technology and invest in more sustainable ways of operating. Their willingness to adopt new solutions is what drives innovation in our industry."

It represents decisions by customers to embrace new technology and invest in more sustainable ways of operating. Their willingness to adopt new solutions is what drives innovation in our industry.

That close collaboration with customers continues to shape how Kalmar develops new solutions. Their operational experience and feedback provide an essential foundation for product development, while early adopters and development partners help turn new ideas into solutions that work in practice.

A partnership built on innovation

Patrick Terminals is one of those early adopters. Its latest hybrid straddle carrier order helped push Kalmar past the 1,000-unit mark, adding another chapter to a strategic partnership spanning more than 20 years. Over that time, the collaboration has included pioneering automated straddle carrier operations to an increasing focus on lower-emission solutions.

Patrick runs technologically advanced container terminals across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle. Its Brisbane and Sydney terminals alone operate a large fleet of Kalmar straddle carriers, including close to 100 Kalmar AutoStrads.

In December 2025, Patrick's Brisbane AutoStrad Terminal marked 20 years of automated straddle carrier operations — a milestone that says a lot about the company's long-standing mindset for testing new technology and new ways of working.

Patrick's hybrid order came as part of a new ten-year strategic supply agreement with Kalmar, underlining just how long-term this relationship really is. The agreement spans equipment deliveries, hybrid-to-electric retrofits, straddle carrier heightening, and ongoing automation support and development.

"The discussions for forming this renewed partnership agreement were extremely inspiring and positive, and enabled us to really align our equipment and service deliveries with Patrick's key business targets," says Karri Keskinen. "A key part of the agreement is our continuing commitment to maintaining a strong, skilled local automation team in Australia, ensuring consistent support for existing and future automation projects across Patrick's terminal network."

The discussions for forming this renewed partnership agreement were extremely inspiring and positive, and enabled us to really align our equipment and service deliveries with Patrick's key business targets

"With this partnership, we are building on two decades of automation leadership, as well as delivering the next generation of performance improvements in straddle operations to support Australia's growing container supply chain demands.", says Michael Jovicic, CEO, Patrick Terminals.

With this partnership, we are building on two decades of automation leadership, as well as delivering the next generation of performance improvements in straddle operations to support Australia's growing container supply chain demands.

Looking beyond today's technology

Every hybrid machine represents a decision to try something new, invest in innovation and look for more sustainable ways to keep cargo moving. Patrick Terminals' order helped mark an important milestone in that journey, while the 1,000 machines sold worldwide demonstrate the collective impact of customers willing to embrace change.

And the journey does not end at 1,000. As the industry continues towards electrification, automation and other new technologies, the willingness of customers to test, adopt and invest in new solutions will remain one of the most important forces shaping what comes next.