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MAGPIE Carbon simulator tool

Electrification

Introduction

The Carbon Simulator is a tool developed by CIRCOE that calculates the CO2 emissions generated by the equipment used to move containers within a port terminal - mainly gantry cranes and straddle carriers - and converts their energy consumption (diesel or electricity) into a carbon footprint expressed in tons of CO2 equivalent per year.

Value proposition

  • Quantify GHG emissions

    The Carbon Simulator gives terminal operators a quick, visual way to quantify GHG emissions.

  • Test solutions

    The Carbon Simulator gives terminal operators a test, before investing, how electrification, shorter distances or modal shift would reduce it.

Port applicability

This tool is built for and tested on large container terminals. Inland container terminals with comparable equipment could also use it, subject to data availability.

Impact

Impact level per aspect
ImpactLevelRemark
Energy EfficiencyMedium impact
Shows which equipment and operational choices consume the most energy per container.
GHG EmissionsLarge impact
Core impact area; quantifies the terminal's CO2 footprint and the reduction potential of electrification, shorter distances or modal shift.
Air pollutantsLimited impact
Not directly calculated, but lower diesel use would also be expected to cut local pollutants (NOx, particulates).
Port CityMedium impact
Supporting straddle-carrier electrification and rail/barge shift indirectly lowers local emissions and noise near the terminal.
Digital port ecosystemMedium impact
Gives terminal operators a data-driven basis for environmental reporting.

Barriers and enablers

Enablers

  • Reporting obligationsEnabler
  • Recognised ADEME emission factorsEnabler
  • Low-threshold, browser-based accessEnabler

Barriers

  • Willingness to share detailed consumption dataBarrier
  • Limited capacity in smaller terminals to collect itBarrier
  • No strong driver yet to act on resultsBarrier

How to implement?

  1. Step 1

    Data collection with the terminal operator

  2. Step 2

    Model configuration

  3. Step 3

    Validation against known emissions

  4. Step 4

    Handover of dashboard access

What should a port do in the next 3 years?

Implementation interdependencies: Requires terminal operators to share equipment and consumption data. Process Steps & Timeline: Data collection with the terminal operator, model configuration, validation against known emissions, then handover of dashboard access. Developed and tested by February 2025.

Stakeholder overview

Port Authority: interested in aggregated terminal data for port-wide environmental reporting. Terminal Operators: primary user; provides data, runs simulations, acts on results. Shipping Lines: may want visibility on terminal-handling footprint for their own emissions reporting. Technology Providers: CIRCOE develops and maintains the tool. National & International Regulators (incl. Safety & Environment); relevant as source of emission factors and destination for reporting.