No crew on-board

A Norwegian company claims to have created the world’s first zero-emissions ship that can also transport cargo autonomously.

The Yara Birkeland, which was first conceptualised in 2017, looks set to make its first voyage with no crew members on-board later this year.

Its voyage between two Norwegian towns – Herøya and Brevik – will be closely monitored from three onshore control centres, although loading and unloading will still require humans. 

Yara International’s vessel features a 7MWh battery capacity powering two 900kW Azipull pods, as well as two 700kW tunnel thrusters to deliver a top speed of 13 knots – or about 24kph.

The current cargo capacity on the Yara Birkeland is 120 20-foot equivalent units or 60 40-foot shipping containers.

Focusing on autonomy lowers the cost of the operation of transporting goods, while the fully electric cargo vessel simultaneously battles carbon emissions.

The shipping industry currently accounts for between 2.5 and three per cent of global greenhouse gases emissions, according to the International Maritime Organisation.