Westwell to supply 60 electric trucks to Westports

Westwell has won an order from Westports for 60 electric terminal tractors and an integrated battery-swapping setup at the Malaysian container terminal.

Westports operates Malaysia's largest gateway container terminal at Port Klang. Situated on the Straits of Malacca, the port handles a significant share of transhipment containers, alongside bulk cargo and roll-on/roll-off shipments.

Westwell described the deal as one of its largest for intelligent container tractors fitted with an integrated smart-solution battery-swapping station. The deployment features Westwell's PowerOnair battery swap stations and its CSS charging management system.

Terminal expansion

Westports has set out a container terminal expansion plan that it said would increase annual container handling capacity from 14 million to 27 million TEUs. The company has linked that growth plan to Port Klang's standing among global container ports.

The new vehicle order sits alongside Westports' stated decarbonisation programme. The terminal has received ESG awards and has pointed to fleet electrification as part of its approach.

Westwell and Westports have worked together previously. Westports commissioned Westwell's Q-Truck autonomous truck into service in 2022. Westwell also received the "Best Automation Equipment Partner" award at a Westports event tied to the terminal's expansion project.

Vehicle specification

Westwell has confirmed that its E-Truck fleet utilises pure electric propulsion, ensuring a complete transition away from internal combustion engines. Each vehicle is equipped with a high-capacity 282kWh battery, providing an operational range of approximately 150 kilometres on a single charge.

The company emphasised that the E-Truck generates zero tailpipe emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment, and functions with minimal noise pollution during intensive terminal operations. From a mechanical perspective, the trucks incorporate a direct-drive motor architecture complemented by a sophisticated integrated thermal management system to optimise performance and longevity.

Battery swapping

Westwell has detailed that its PowerOnair smart battery-swap station functions as a central energy hub for the terminal. According to the company, the station is capable of executing a fully automated battery exchange in just five minutes, significantly minimising vehicle downtime.

This infrastructure operates in tandem with Westwell's CSS Charging Scheduling Management System. The company noted that internal simulation results demonstrate how this scheduling software effectively reduces overall charging requirements and eliminates unnecessary waiting periods for the fleet.

Furthermore, Westports has previously signalled its long-term commitment to sustainability, stating that it aims for a fully electrified expanded container terminal stretching from CT10 to CT17.

"WESTWELL has been our strategic partner throughout WESTPORTS' terminal truck transformation journey. The deployment of 60 E-Trucks and smart energy solutions, coupled with its innovative technologies, will significantly enhance the terminal's operational efficiency while reducing our carbon emission intensity. The E-Truck also supports and paves the way towards achieving our ambition of having a fully electrified expanded container terminal from CT10 to CT17, thereby marking an important milestone in our and Port Klang's decarbonisation journey," said Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, Executive Chairman, Westports.

Westwell framed the project as part of a wider push in South-east Asia. "WESTWELL highly values the strategic partnership with WESTPORTS. We are committed to bringing cutting-edge innovative technologies to port operations, with artificial intelligence and new energy as our core technologies, to develop more efficient and tailored logistics solutions for clients' business scenarios. Additionally, through localized operational models, we have established a local maintenance team and parts center to ensure long-term project sustainability, fully supporting the intelligent and green transformation of ports," said Kenny Tan.

Westwell said it would continue work with Westports on terminal trucking requirements and future deployments linked to decarbonisation and operational efficiency upgrades.