Key Highlights:
- A futuristic ship meant to be the world’s first all-electric, self-driving cargo vessel has launched in Norway.
- The 80-meter (262-foot) vessel is powered by a 6.8-mWh battery pack and can transport up to 3,200 tonnes at a top speed of 15 knots (28 km/h, 17 mph).
- With its first journey completed, the Yara Birkeland will begin commercial operations in 2022, following a two-year testing period.
Yara Birkeland takes to water
A futuristic ship meant to be the world’s first all-electric, self-driving cargo vessel has launched in Norway, where it is expected to replace 40,000 diesel-powered vehicle rides per year. The Yara Birkeland took a short, crewed journey to Oslo as part of its debut, and work on certifying it as an autonomous container vessel will now begin before it can begin commercial operations.
The Yara Birkeland, a collaboration between chemical manufacturing giant Yara and maritime technology company Kongsberg, was revealed in 2017 as the world’s first all-electric and autonomous container ship. The ship will convey chemicals and fertilizer from Yara’s manufacturing plant in Prosgrunn to adjacent communities, reducing NOx and CO2 emissions significantly by eliminating the need for diesel-powered truck transport.
Potential of Ammonia
The 80-meter (262-foot) vessel is powered by a 6.8-mWh battery pack and can transport up to 3,200 tonnes at a top speed of 15 knots (28 km/h, 17 mph). Along with ship construction, Yara is utilizing its own reserves of ammonia used in fertilizer manufacturing to produce a zero-carbon fuel source for potential usage onboard the Yara Birkeland. There is significant and rising interest in ammonia as a long-haul shipping alternative to diesel, while there are numerous kinks to work out in terms of manufacturing and use.
“In 1905, renewable energy was our starting point; now, ammonia can bring us back to our roots.” “Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand, CEO of Yara Clean Ammonia, describes the concept.
“Because of our extensive transport network and existing infrastructure, ammonia has the potential to become the world’s top fuel for long-distance shipping.”
Commercial operations to start from 2022
On November 18, the Yara Birkeland made her inaugural journey from Horten to Oslo, a distance of around 70 kilometers (43 miles). The trip to the capital was planned for project partners to have a close look at the ship, as well as for government leaders, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, to get a tour from Yara CEO Svein Tore Holsether.
“We are proud to be able to showcase the world’s first fully electric and self-propelled container ship,” says Svein Tore Holsether, CEO of Yara. “It will cut 1,000 tonnes of CO2 and replace 40,000 trips by diesel-powered trucks a year.” With its first journey completed, the Yara Birkeland will begin commercial operations in 2022, following a two-year testing period meant to certify it as an autonomous vehicle. Kongsberg will be in charge of integrating the sensors and other systems for autonomous navigation, with the road to complete autonomy including a period of remote operation.
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