DB Schenker has revealed plans to operate an innovative zero-emission coastal container feeder in Norway in North Europe.
The fully electric vessel will operate between Ekornes’ own port, Ikornnes, and the port of Ålesund in Norway. The ship will complete the 43-kilometres journey within three hours, at a speed of 7.7 knots.
The vessel will be 50 metres long and will be able to carry 300 deadweight tons of cargo. The feeder ship will run without a crew but will be monitored and controlled by staff at Massterly’s Remote Operation Center (ROC), whose team members include certified navigators and naval engineers.
Knut Eriksmoen, CEO Norway at DB Schenker, commented, “This unique project marks another important step toward greener supply chains, and it also fits in perfectly with our overall sustainability agenda in ocean freight, where we are ambitiously taking the lead with our cooperation partners.”
DB Schenker has signed a prestudy agreement with the furniture company Ekornes, the vessel designer Naval Dynamics, the technology group KONGSBERG and Massterly, a Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen joint venture for autonomous ships.
“With this landmark project, we will meet our sustainability targets by using the most innovative technology available,” said Roger Lunde, CEO of Ekornes, adding, “Utilising the autonomous electric container feeder for direct pickups of our Stressless products from our own dock in Ikornnes means that our total carbon footprint will be reduced significantly.”
The joint project aims to replace the traditional container vessels utilised along the stretch of the Norwegian coastline around Ikornnes and Ålesund.
Geir Håøy, CEO of KONGSBERG, pointed out, “We’re beginning to see a general shift away from road transport of goods – with its considerable carbon footprint – toward clean, energy-efficient, short ocean freight transport.”
