Yara Birkeland, the world's first electric-powered, self-propelled container vessel, has departed for its maiden voyage in the Oslofjord, Norwegian shipowner Yara International confirmed in a recent press release.
The 80-metre, 120TEU newbuild was developed by Kongsberg and built by Vard with financial support from Enova. It will be in commercial operation beginning in 2022.
Yara CEO Svein Tore Holsether expects Yara Birkeland's sailings will result in CO2 emissions reductions of as much as 1,000 tonnes each year.
The ship will soon begin undergoing a two-year testing period that will also determine its feasibility for autonomous navigation.
