Kempower signs fast charging agreement with DP World Canada
Finnish charging solutions firm Kempower has signed a framework agreement with DP World to supply DC fast-charging infrastructure across its port operations in Canada.
The agreement covers DP World’s existing terminals in Vancouver, Fraser Surrey, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert and Saint John, as well as future projects – such as at DP World’s new container terminal at Contrecoeur in Montreal, which is expected to begin operations in 2030. The agreement does not specify binding order volumes; instead, DP World Canada will place individual orders according to its investment plans and operational requirements.
The first phase of the agreement will see Kempower supply 46 charging satellites with a combined capacity of 4.4 MW at terminals in Vancouver, Fraser Surrey and Prince Rupert; with the Vancouver site already operational. The charging infrastructure will be used to electrify DP World’s service vehicles and container-handling equipment. According to Kempower, its distributed charging system enables available power to be shared between multiple charging points, while its modular design provides redundancy intended to maintain uptime in the demanding port environment.
“Electrifying our terminal operations is an important part of how DP World is building more efficient and resilient supply chains in Canada,” said Doug Smith, CEO of DP World Canada. “This agreement with Kempower gives us a scalable, reliable charging platform that can support our operations today while creating the flexibility to electrify more of our equipment over time. Standardising this infrastructure across our Canadian terminals is a practical step toward reducing emissions while maintaining the performance and reliability our customers depend on.”
The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two companies. In 2024, DP World began using Kempower’s charging technology at its London Gateway Terminal, where eight electric Kalmar straddle carriers are charged using eight 500 kW power units and liquid-cooled charging satellites. There, the 62-tonne vehicles can reportedly charge from 0 to 100 per cent in around 45 minutes and operate for up to four hours. At the time, this was described as DP World’s first ‘all-electric’ port terminal, and one that the firm could emulate at other terminals in future.
Furthermore, the collaboration in Canada comes as DP World continues to invest in expanding its charging infrastructure across the country. In February, the Canadian government awarded DP World Canada C$4.375 million towards 111 chargers in Vancouver, as part of a wider C$97 million package supporting more than 8,000 new EV charge points across the country. And, in 2023, the company announced its first Canadian deployment with the Electric Circuit network in Quebec, where its satellite charging system was used to dynamically distribute 500 kW of power between charging points.