The vessel Yara Birkeland will be the world’s first fully
electric and autonomous container ship, with zero
emissions. Kongsberg is responsible for development
and delivery of all key enabling technologies including
the sensors and integration required for remote and
autonomous ship operations, in addition to the electric
drive, battery and propulsion control systems.
A 120 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) open top
container ship, it will be a fully battery powered
solution, prepared for autonomous and unmanned
operation. The vessel will reduce NOx and CO2 emissions
by reducing diesel-powered truck transport by
around 40,000 journeys per year. This eco-initiative
will help to meet the UN sustainability goals and
improve road safety and congestion.
For the first phase of the project a detachable bridge
with equipment for manoeuvring and navigation will
be implemented. When the ship is ready for autonomous
operation this module will be lifted off.
Loading and discharging will be done automatically
using electric cranes and equipment. The ship will
not have ballast tanks but will use the battery pack
as a permanent ballast.
The ship will also be equipped with an automatic
mooring system - berthing and unberthing will be
done without human intervention and will not require
special implementations dock-side.