Hyster delivers United Kingdom’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered ReachStacker to the Port of Tilbury
Hyster’s hydrogen fuel cell ReachStacker enters pre-production trials at the Port of Tilbury to test low-emission heavy-duty port operations.
Rhea-AI Summary
Hyster (HY) has delivered the United Kingdom’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered Hyster ReachStacker to the Port of Tilbury in Essex for real-world container handling operations.
The pre-production machine uses a Nuvera 60kW fuel cell to generate electricity for a 130kWh lithium-ion battery and stores 32kg of hydrogen in high-pressure tanks for up to a 12-hour shift. It can be refueled in less than 30 minutes and will run entirely on green hydrogen produced on-site with a GeoPura electrolyzer. The ReachStacker is expected to help demonstrate a reduction of more than 107,000 kilograms of CO2 emissions per year versus an equivalent diesel machine, supporting the Forth Ports Group target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2042. Briggs Equipment will provide frontline service, backed by Hyster’s Hypercare program.
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Key Figures
- Fuel cell output
- 60kW
- Nuvera fuel cell engine
- Battery capacity
- 130kWh
- Lithium-ion battery
- Annual CO2 reduction
- More than 107,000 kilograms per year
- Expected Port of Tilbury reduction
- Hydrogen storage
- 32kg
- On-board high-pressure tanks
- Refueling time
- Less than 30 minutes
- HFC ReachStacker
- Operating shift
- 12-hour shift
- Expected operating duration
Historical Context
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Battery-electric ReachStacker entered a 24-month field development at a Dutch terminal
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
hydrogen fuel cell technical
lithium-ion battery technical
electrolyzer technical
high-voltage systems technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
The milestone delivery brings hydrogen fuel cell technology to heavy-duty port operations, supporting the Port of Tilbury’s transition toward lower-emission container handling
TILBURY, UK, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hyster and local authorized dealer, Briggs Equipment UK, announce the delivery of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Hyster® ReachStacker to the Port of Tilbury in Essex, UK. This is the first hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) powered container handler to be deployed and fully operational in a real-world port application within the United Kingdom.
“Today is an important milestone in the history of the Port of Tilbury as we welcome the UK’s first hydrogen fuel cell ReachStacker into our busy container operations,” says David Housden, Head of Engineering and Procurement, Port of Tilbury. “Working in collaboration with our project partners Hyster and Briggs Equipment over the past two years, we are now delivering
Building on insights from previous pilot programs, including the HFC ReachStacker pilot from Valencia that concluded last year, Hyster and Nuvera have optimized and right-sized the fuel cell system. This Hyster ReachStacker is powered by a Nuvera 60kW fuel cell engine that converts hydrogen into electricity to support a 130kWh lithium-ion battery and incorporates standardized Hyster software architecture used across other Hyster electric products.
The innovative Hyster ReachStacker is expected to help the Port of Tilbury demonstrate a lower CO2 emissions footprint by more than 107,000 kilograms or 79,600 pounds of CO2 per year*. The Port of Tilbury is part of the Forth Ports Group, which is working toward achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2042.
“While eliminating tailpipe emissions has been the core driver of this pioneering collaboration, it was also critical to develop a solution that was up to the job and delivers performance and toughness comparable to an ICE-powered machine,” says Lucien Robroek, President of Global Big Trucks, Hyster. “We are looking forward to seeing the HFC-powered ReachStacker in action, tackling intense duty cycles and helping demonstrate how hydrogen fuel cell technology can support the future of high-intensity port operations while advancing the Port of Tilbury’s energy transition goals.”
High-pressure tanks will store 32kg of hydrogen on board, helping deliver long run times and operational productivity across a full 12-hour shift. The HFC ReachStacker can be refueled in less than 30 minutes and will operate entirely on green hydrogen, produced with an electrolyzer from GeoPura. Together, these capabilities will help demonstrate the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology to support demanding port operations while advancing sustainability objectives.
“This pre-production trial marks a landmark moment for our business as we introduce leading alternative clean energy solutions into our port operations,” Housden adds. “The project is supported by on-site green hydrogen production, supply and refueling infrastructure from GeoPura and the ReachStacker demonstrates our commitment to decarbonizing our operations and our transition to more sustainable port logistics.”
As a trusted Briggs Equipment customer for many years, the Port of Tilbury will benefit from the same high level of dealer support it receives across its existing Hyster fleet. Briggs Equipment will provide front-line service and maintenance support for the ReachStacker, while Hyster's Hypercare program delivers enhanced factory backing for this innovative application.
"We are thrilled to be part of this milestone and to welcome the UK’s first hydrogen fuel cell ReachStacker to the Port of Tilbury,” says Mike Parkin, Ports and Big Truck Director, Briggs Equipment UK. “Briggs has a strong, long-standing partnership with the Port of Tilbury, and we are proud to support their move toward a lower-carbon future. This innovative hydrogen project shows what is possible when sustainability and innovation combine, setting an industry benchmark and advancing efforts to cut CO2 emissions and transition to cleaner operations."
Hyster experts will work closely with Briggs and the Port of Tilbury to support the hydrogen fuel cell and high-voltage systems, providing specialized technical expertise and on-site assistance throughout the project. This collaborative approach combines trusted dealer support with factory expertise, enabling the Port of Tilbury to evaluate hydrogen fuel cell technology in demanding port applications while maintaining operational productivity.
*Based on 40,000 liters of diesel consumption / year (average @ 2,500 annual hours) and CO2 emission factor of 2.68 kilograms of CO2 / liter diesel (tank-to-wheel)
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ABOUT HYSTER
Hyster is a leading worldwide provider of Hyster® forklift truck and container handling solutions for the toughest, most intense industries on earth. The company designs and manufactures an industry leading, comprehensive range of material handling equipment, meeting the unique demands of everything from fast-paced industrial warehouses and manufacturing facilities to the most demanding, heavy-duty applications like ports and terminals. Backed by a dedicated, global dealer network and nearly a century of material handling experience, Hyster is the trusted resource customers can count on for technology tough enough for their worksites and proven solutions that keep critical operations moving.
Hyster Company is a division of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale, Inc. (NYSE:HY) which is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and operates globally.
©2026 Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc., all rights reserved. Hyster is a trademark of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.
Attachment
Jennifer Timblin Hyster 252-412-4322 jennifer.timblin@hyster-yale.com Jude Mitcham Molokini Marketing Ltd +44 (0) 1903 207408 jude@molokini.co.uk
FAQ
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What role does Briggs Equipment play in the Port of Tilbury hydrogen ReachStacker project?
Briggs Equipment, Hyster’s authorized dealer, will provide front-line service and maintenance support for the hydrogen fuel cell ReachStacker at the Port of Tilbury. Hyster experts will work closely with Briggs and the port to support the fuel cell and high-voltage systems through specialized technical expertise and on-site assistance, as part of Hyster’s Hypercare factory-backed program.
How is the green hydrogen for the Hyster ReachStacker produced and supplied?
The ReachStacker operates entirely on green hydrogen produced on-site at the Port of Tilbury using an electrolyzer from GeoPura. The project includes on-site green hydrogen production, supply, and refueling infrastructure provided by GeoPura to support the pre-production trial in port operations.
What emission reduction is the Port of Tilbury expecting from the hydrogen ReachStacker?
The innovative Hyster hydrogen fuel cell ReachStacker is expected to help the Port of Tilbury demonstrate a lower CO2 emissions footprint of more than 107,000 kilograms, or 79,600 pounds, of CO2 per year. This figure is based on replacing 40,000 liters of diesel consumption per year at an average of 2,500 annual operating hours and a CO2 emission factor of 2.68 kilograms of CO2 per liter of diesel on a tank-to-wheel basis.
How does this project fit into the Port of Tilbury and Forth Ports Group decarbonization goals?
The Port of Tilbury, part of the Forth Ports Group, is using this hydrogen fuel cell ReachStacker as part of its transition toward lower-emission port logistics. The project supports the Forth Ports Group objective of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2042, and the port describes the trial as demonstrating its commitment to decarbonizing operations and adopting alternative clean energy solutions.