Kalmar has signed an agreement to provide Opleidingscentrum voor Havenarbeiders (OCHA), the specialized training center for port workers in Antwerp, Belgium, with two hybrid straddle carriers. This investment is designed to strengthen the center’s high-quality training infrastructure, ensuring that port workers gain essential hands-on experience using modern, sustainable technology. The order was recorded in Kalmar’s first-quarter 2026 intake, with the units scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of the same year.
The new machines will join OCHA’s existing fleet of five Kalmar straddle carriers, continuing a long-standing partnership between the two organizations that dates back to 2003. OCHA’s comprehensive training curriculum currently involves a one-week simulator program followed by two weeks of practical operation on real equipment. This rigorous process is intended to prepare drivers for the complexities of live port operations while maintaining high safety and efficiency standards.
By integrating hybrid technology into the training fleet, OCHA aims to provide trainees with exposure to eco-efficient equipment that reduces fuel consumption and emissions compared to traditional diesel models. Representatives from both organizations highlighted the move as a logical step in their 20-year collaboration, focusing on developing the vital skills necessary for daily port work. The addition of these units ensures that the training capacity remains aligned with the evolving technical demands of the global maritime industry.