Port of Tanjung Pelepas to electrify prime mover fleet

Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), a joint venture between Malaysia’s MMC Group and Netherlands-based APM Terminals (APMT), is set to electrify its prime mover fleet as part of its ongoing sustainability and digital transformation strategy.

The port has signed an agreement with Terberg Tractors Malaysia (TTM) to acquire its first batch of electric prime movers (e-PMs) for horizontal container handling.

The initial order comprises 52 e-PMs, forming part of a larger fleet of 94 units, with the remainder powered by conventional fuel.

PTP Chairman, Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, said: “This decision reflects more than a step-up in fleet capability. As PTP celebrates its 25th anniversary, it underscores our commitment to foresight, innovation and embracing change. It demonstrates our ability to deliver results that matter for our customers, our people and the world we share.”

He added that PTP has long pursued an ambitious decarbonisation roadmap, targeting a 45 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 against a 2021 baseline.

PTP CEO, Mark Hardiman, commented: “This procurement supports our expansion strategy, optimising our footprint and aligning equipment readiness with our growth plans. We aim to increase total terminal handling capacity to around 16 million TEUs over the next two and a half years, with sustainability embedded in all operational decisions.”

Proof-of-concept testing demonstrates that an e-PM generates 4,000 kgCO₂eq per month, compared with 7,600 kgCO₂eq for conventional units, achieving a 48 per cent emissions reduction alongside a 57 per cent cut in monthly operational costs per unit.

PTP has also introduced five electric small forklifts (e-SFs) under real-world testing and participates in international initiatives such as the IMO GreenVoyage2050, Australian Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I), and a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Port of Melbourne on sustainable operations.

The signing ceremony for the prime movers was held at PTP, with Hardiman and TTM CEO Boo Wei Ching formalising the agreement.

The fleet is scheduled for delivery in 2026, with TTM providing 24 months of maintenance.

In June, Kaleris and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) received the 2025 Top Supply Chain Projects Award, presented by Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics.