The world’s first zero-emission, autonomous container feeder from Kongsberg and YARA will result in 40,000 fewer diesel-powered truck journeys per year.

In the container shipping world, many of the behemoth ships are fed by smaller feeders that move cargo from port to port by land and sea, often with heavily-polluting diesel emissions. The YARA Birkeland is a zero-emission, fully electric and autonomous solution to that problem. With a 7 to 9 MWh battery powering propulsion, the ship can carry up to 120 shipping containers at any one time. The vessel will cost $25 million, triple that of a conventional equivalent but, without the need for fuel or crew, it promises to cut annual operating costs by up to 90%. By taking trucks off the road, it will also contributes to safer, less-congested roads.

This solution was featured in Sustainable Shipping market of the 2018 Global Opportunity Report, and was selected based on the criteria of that report. 

How the Global Goals are addressed

Good health and well-being

Autonomous, electric near shore shipping eliminates harmful NOx and SOx emissions to the air, reducing the risk of respiratory diseases.

Life below water

The discharge of ballast water can damage marine life. No such problem for the YARA Birkeland, which uses the batteries for ballast instead.

Partnerships for the goals

YARA has partnered up with Kongsberg to find a sustainable alternative to more than 40,000 diesel-powered truck journeys per year.