Hyster Deploys Hydrogen ReachStacker at Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals

Hyster has delivered a hydrogen-powered ReachStacker to Rotterdam, where the machine will be evaluated in day-to-day operations at Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals. The container-handling vehicle is part of a broader effort to test whether fuel-cell drivetrains can meet the demanding duty cycles of port logistics.

The trial pairs the ReachStacker with an on-site hydrogen refuelling solution, allowing the equipment to be replenished without relying on a conventional diesel supply chain. Alongside the infrastructure, Hyster has set up a training centre to familiarise operators and maintenance crews with the new powertrain and its safe handling procedures.

The Rotterdam deployment reflects a growing interest in hydrogen among heavy machinery operators, where battery-electric systems can struggle with continuous high-power demand and limited opportunity charging. Port environments are seen as a promising early market because they concentrate refuelling infrastructure and operate in defined areas.

For Hyster, the project offers a chance to gather real-world performance data on range, refuelling time and durability under the kind of intensive use that port terminals require. The results will help determine how quickly hydrogen equipment could scale beyond demonstration projects.

Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals has positioned itself as a testing ground for cleaner handling equipment, and the hydrogen ReachStacker will now prove whether it can match the productivity of established diesel machines.