World’s first emission-free container ship is launching

Yara International has announced that it will soon commence commercial operations of its long-awaited Yara Birkeland, the world’s first electric and self-propelled container ship. It will also begin a two-year test period prior to entering full autonomous operation on a route off the coast of Norway. The Yara Birkeland is powered by a Leclanché high-energy lithium-ion battery system with integrated liquid cooling to ensure optimum operating temperature that ranges from -20 to +55-degrees Celsius. According to the company, the vessel’s operation will displace around 40,000 truck journeys per year and the associated NOx and CO2 emissions. It also reduces noise and air pollution while in port. The batteries are charged automatically with electricity from renewable sources.