Logistics provide DB Schenker plans to operate a zero-emission autonomous coastal container feeder for furniture producer Ekornes in Norway.

It has revealed plans to operate the zero-emission coastal container feeder; the fully electric vessel has a design that is said to make it the first of its kind in the world.

Having just signed a pre-study agreement, DB Schenker and its cooperation partners –Ekornes and vessel designer Naval Dynamics, along with Kongsberg and Massterly – have taken the first steps in the joint project to replace the traditional feeder vessels used along the stretch of the Norwegian coastline around Ikornnes and Ålesund.

The autonomous and electric, short-sea container feeder leverages Naval Dynamics’ NDS AutoBarge 250 concept that was developed in partnership with Kongsberg and Massterly.

The vessel will operate between Ekornes’ own port, Ikornnes, and the port of Ålesund, which serves the main ocean freight ports in Europe. The ship will complete the 43kmjourney within three hours, at a speed of 7.7 knots. The vessel will be 50m long and will be able to carry 300 deadweight tons of cargo. It is designed from the keel up for autonomous and zero-emission operation. It will run without a crew but will be monitored and controlled by staff at Massterly’s remote operation centre (ROC), whose team members include certified navigators and naval engineers.

The planned two-way data communications between the vessel and the ROC are destined to be another game-changer in the ocean freight sector.

“We are delighted to be further intensifying an already strong relationship with our customer Ekornes,” said Knut Eriksmoen, CEO for DB Schenker in Norway. “This unique project marks another important step towards greener supply chains, and it also fits in perfectly with our overall sustainability agenda in ocean freight, where we are ambitiously taking the lead with our cooperation partners.”

Ekornes is the largest furniture producer in Norway and owns the brands Ekornes, Stressless, Svane and IMG. Stressless is one of the world’s most well-known furniture brands, while Ekornes, Stressless and Svane are the most famous in the Norwegian furniture sector.

“We’re continuously working towards our goal of becoming the world’s leading manufacturer of sustainable premium furniture,” said Roger Lunde, CEO of Ekornes. “With this landmark project, we will meet our sustainability targets by using the most innovative technology available. Utilising the autonomous electric container feeder for direct pickups of our Stressless products from our own dock in Ikornnes means that our total carbon footprint will be reduced significantly. We will also gain better control over, and greater flexibility with, our own logistics.”

And Geir Håøy, CEO of Kongsberg, said: “We’re beginning to see a g eneral shift away from road transport of goods – with its considerable carbon footprint – towards clean, energy-efficient, short ocean freight transport. Given our decades of expertise in creating and perfecting systems for ship operations in every context, we are in a unique position to carry out pioneering work in this project. Kongsberg is currently involved in several fully electric and autonomous vessel operations, including Yara Birkeland and Asko. We look forward to contributing our expertise and experience to this new partnership with DB Schenker and Ekornes.”

The benefits could be numerous, and include zero emissions, faster and more efficient transport, and reduced traffic on roads. As they lead the way to climate neutrality, the parties’ common interest is to unveil this vessel in Norway and then take the next steps forward by obtaining approval from the Norwegian Maritime Authority, and possibly governmental incentives for the sustainability and technology aspects.

“We are very pleased to be working with Ekornes and DB Schenker to create smart logistics for the Ekornes production site,” said Tom Eystø, managing director of Massterly. “The small, fully electric, and energy-efficient cargo vessel will be designed for uncrewed operations. Massterly will operate the vessel from our remote operation centre. We find it very interesting that one of the world’s largest logistics providers, DB Schenker, is recognising the benefits offered by uncrewed, zero-emission shipping, and we hope this project will inspire a larger volume of similar vessels.”

Øystein Jaer, CEO of Naval Dynamics, added: “The AutoBarge 250 coast feeder is designed from the keel up for efficient and zero-emission autonomous operations. In partnership with Massterly – the vessel operator and technical manager – and Kongsberg Maritime – the technology provider – we are confident that DB Schenker and Ekornes will be provided with an optimal and viable transport chain that will meet the future demands of customers around the world.”

Ekornes sells its products in many regions around the world, either through its own sales companies or via importers. The group has sales offices in Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, UK, France, USA, China, Japan, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia.