SSA Marine switches to battery-electric forklift fleet at Port of Los Angeles

SSA Marine has announced the full electrification of its forklift fleet at Berth 55, located at the Port of Los Angeles. The transition covers a total of 44 battery-electric forklifts and represents the first complete conversion to zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment at any of the company’s global terminals.

The fleet comprises 12 heavy-duty Hyster forklifts with a 10,000-pound lifting capacity and 32 smaller 3,000-pound units, all powered entirely by electricity. With the elimination of propane-fuelled forklifts, SSA Marine expects to reduce its annual propane consumption by nearly 44,000 gallons, avoiding an estimated 264 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.
Berth 55 is an international fruit terminal where SSA Marine has operated since the 1980s. The deployment is the result of a three-year collaboration between SSA Marine, the Port of Los Angeles, and other stakeholders. The project reflects broader ambitions at the port to eliminate emissions from yard equipment by 2030. SSA Marine has now met this target five years ahead of schedule.

“Achieving this sustainability milestone at Berth 55 reinforces SSA Marine’s commitment to environmental responsibility, operational efficiency, and innovation, not just in breakbulk, but across our operations,” said Meghan Weinman, vice president of sustainability at SSA Marine.

“SSA Marine has been a longtime tenant at the Port of Los Angeles and their work facilitating the arrival of fruits from South America during our winter months is very important for Southern California and the region,” said Michael DiBernardo, deputy executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. “Our goal for the Port of Los Angeles is to be emissions free with our yard equipment by 2030 and, as a result of this initiative, SSA Marine has completed that goal five years ahead of schedule, which we appreciate.”