"K" LINE subsidiary Daito Corporation has placed an order for three new environmentally-friendly and fuel-efficient "hybrid" transfer cranes from manufacturers TCM Corporation and Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

Used for handling containers within the yard, the cranes will be installed at the Ohi Terminal in Tokyo and Honmoku Terminal in Yokohama. A "K" Line statement said it will be the first time that container terminals in Japan have been equipped with such one-over-five-high type hybrid transfer cranes.

The first crane is scheduled for delivery at Honmoku in August, with the second and third cranes expected to arrive at Ohi Terminals One and Two in October and November.

This new type of hybrid transfer crane is designed to reduce fuel consumption by re-using electricity that has been generated by converting energy produced when lifting containers up and down into power.

Compared to the older transfer cranes, the hybrid model is expected to lower oil consumption by between 40 and 50 per cent; cut carbon dioxide emissions by the same amount and reduce noise.

The Daito Corporation is also planning to introduce another two hybrid transfer cranes at the Ohi Terminal, as well as install another at the Honmoku Terminal in 2008 if the performance of the first three meet expectations.