Two decades in the making: Kalmar and DFDS team up again
Sustainable logistics in the United Kingdom reached a new milestone as Kalmar officially handed over two high-voltage electric machines to DFDS at the Immingham terminal. The delivery marks the first deployment of high-voltage electric cargo-handling equipment by an operator in the UK, representing a significant step toward decarbonising port operations.
The handover included an electric reachstacker and an electric heavy forklift. Both machines were demonstrated on site, highlighting the immediate operational readiness of zero-emission cargo-handling solutions.
A strong partnership driving European electrification
The collaboration between Kalmar and DFDS is built on more than two decades of partnership. During this time, both companies have successfully navigated changes in global trade, embraced technological advancements, and continuously worked to improve the efficiency of cargo flows.
Speaking at the event, Joel Garmory, Country Director for Kalmar UK & Ireland, emphasised the importance of the milestone:
We celebrate a shared future driven by sustainability and innovation. This latest order of heavy electric equipment is a defining moment in our joint journey towards a sustainable future.
The Immingham delivery forms part of a wider international rollout. DFDS has now become the first Kalmar customer to operate high-voltage electric counterbalanced equipment across multiple European countries. In addition to the UK deployment, DFDS operates an electric reachstacker in Ghent, Belgium, alongside two electric heavy forklifts in Gothenburg, Sweden. This achievement reinforces DFDS’s position as a leading "bold first mover" in the European ferry and logistics sector, supporting its ambitious decarbonisation goals.
Focus on innovation, service, and safety
The event also underlined the critical role of support services and training in enabling a seamless transition to electrified fleets. To ensure maximum uptime and operational reliability, Kalmar provides flexible service contracts through its Essential Care, Complete Care, and On Demand Care models.
To further support customers, Kalmar offers specialised high-voltage technician training aligned with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) gold standard. This framework ensures both safety and technical expertise remain at the highest level when handling next-generation equipment.
Driving the path to decarbonisation
DFDS continues to take a holistic approach to electrification, focusing not only on the physical assets but also on total cost of ownership (TCO) and emissions tracking. Operational tools such as Kalmar Insight enable data-driven decision-making and transparent decarbonisation reporting.
In recognition of this commitment, DFDS Immingham was presented with the Kalmar Eco Hero award for its pioneering investment in high-voltage electric technology.
The event concluded with an extensive live demonstration of the machinery in action. This showcase clearly illustrated that the transition to heavy equipment engineered for emission cutting and high efficiency is no longer a distant future ambition; it is already an operational reality actively transforming today's logistics landscape.
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