A Norwegian company has now created the world¡¯s first zero-emission autonomous cargo ship that would prevent contributing to greenhouse gases emissions.?
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Developed by Chemical company Yara International, the ship -- named Yara Birkeland -- was designed to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides that are known to be toxic pollutants and greenhouse gases, as well as carbon dioxide by making freighters to switch from roads to the sea.?
The cargo ship was first conceptualized in 2017 and created in partnership with tech firm Kongsberg Maritime and shipbuilder Vard. The ship can easily carry 103 containers and maintain a speed of 13 knots.?
The whole ship will be powered using a 7 megawatt-hour battery which as per Jon Sletten, the plant manager for Yara¡¯s factory in Porsgrunn, Norway, is around a thousand times more than an electric car. He claims the ship could replace 40,000 truck journeys each year.?
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These would also be crewless and completely automated which according to Sletten is going to be more cost-effective and efficient in operation. Even though it would require manpower for loading and unloading initially, it would be automated in the coming future.?
They¡¯re working on autonomous cranes and carriers that would help place containers on the ship without human intervention.?
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Yara Birkeland was scheduled to make its first journey last year but it was affected after the novel coronavirus pandemic hit the world followed by a series of logistical challenges. It is now expected to make its first journey before the end of the year.
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