German shipping line DB Schenker has confirmed its plans to run a low-emission coastal container feeder vessel between Ikornnes quay and the Port of Alesund in Norway.
The fully electric vessel will be fitted with autonomous navigation technology and will be used to transport products by furniture manufacturer Ekornes.
DB Schenker's other partners on the project include Massterly, Kongsberg Maritime, and design firm Naval Dynamics.
The vessel will operate between Ekornes' own port, at Ikornnes, to the port of Alesund, which serves the main ocean freight ports in Europe, completing the 43-kilometre voyage within three hours at a speed of 7.7 knots.
The vessel will be 50 metres long and will be able to carry 300 DWT of cargo. It is designed from the keel up to be fit for purpose with respect to autonomous and low-emission operation.
The vessel will primarily be operated un-crewed but supervised from Massterly's Remote Operation Center (ROC), which is staffed with certified navigators and naval engineers.
