MARITIME: How Ekornes, DB Schenker, and Naval Dynamics Collaborate on a New Autonomous Container Vessel

Ekornes, a Norwegian furniture manufacturer, has collaborated with the German logistics company, BD Schenker and the Design firm Naval Dynamics to study a new autonomous container vessel.

According to FleetMon, “Ekornes, a Norwegian furniture manufacturer, has teamed up with the German logistics company BD Schenker and the Design firm Naval Dynamics for the initial study regarding a new autonomous container vessel.

“The vessel is supposed to run from Ikrones Quay and the Port of Alesund, which is 23 nautical miles. The trio will also partner with Kongsberg and Masterly (a joint venture between Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen) to oversee the new feeder vessel operations.

”The vessel is set to replace the diesel-powered road transportation used by Ekornes, which will reduce costs and cut emissions. It was designed for sailings across shorter distances and is being developed according to the Naval Dynamics’ NDS AutoBarge 250 concept, which is the product of a collaboration between Kongsberg and Masterly. This design concept is for a 164 ft long feeder barge that can carry 300 tons of cargo and can travel at a speed of 7.7 knots.”

It added: “The final goal is for the vessel to sail without a crew and to monitor the operations by Masterly’s Remote Operations Center. Currently, the technology in place requires a crew. This Remote Operations Center now supports other vessels such as YARA BIRKELAND and AKSO.”