MV Yara Birkeland
Yara and technology company KONGSBERG have teamed up to build the world's first autonomous and zero-emission container vessel: Yara Birkeland
With this vessel, Yara will remove 40,000 diesel-powered truck journeys every year, and reduce NOx (Nitrogen oxide) and CO2 emissions, improve road safety, reduce road dust formation and traffic noise. The zero-emission vessel will transport mineral fertilizer from Yara's production plant in Porsgrunn, Norway to the regional export port in Brevik.
On the technical side, KONGSBERG is responsible for the development and delivery of all essential technologies at Yara Birkeland. This applies to the sensors and integration required for remote and autonomous operations, as well as electrical propulsion, battery and control systems.
Yara Birkeland was put into commercial operation in Porsgrunn in the spring of 2022. During the first to years of operation, the vessel will go through a gradual transition towards full autonomous sailing
Photo credits: Knut Brevik Andersen, Wilhelmsen Ship Service
Yara Birkeland videos
Watch Yara Birkekland's maiden journey to Oslo and its momentous christening celebration
Yara Birkeland's Voyage from Horten to Oslo
Yara Birkeland is officially christened
Vessel estimated key figures and facts
Main particulars
- LOA 80 m
- Beam 15 m
Depth 12 m
- Draught (full) 6 m
- Eco speed 6-7 knots
- Max speed 15 knots
Capacity
- Cargo capacity 120 TEU
- Deadweight 3,200 tons
Propulsion
- Azipull pods 2 x 900 kW
- Tunnel thrusters 2 x 700 kW
Batteries
- Capacity 6.8 MWh
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Relevant links
- Yara Birkeland, two years on (April 28, 2024)
- The first ever zero emission, autonomous ship (March 14, 2018)
- Enova to support the building of Yara Birkeland (September 28, 2017)
