A new maritime vision is surfacing with autonomous shipping projects. Kongsberg Maritime and Massterly a Kongsberg Wilhelmsen joint venture have signed contracts with the major grocery distributor ASKO on two new fully autonomous ships and to handle their operations at Sea. The fully electric powered ships will replace 2 million kilometres of truck transport, saving 5,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
ASKO is presently transporting their cargo by use of more than 800 vehicles per day. ASKO is dedicated to sustainability and is making an investment closely in new technology which includes electric powered and hydrogen-powered vehicles. At present, road transportation is the only mode of transportation to link their warehouses on the western side of Oslo fjord with their distribution centre on the eastern side. These new RORO vessels contribute to the zero emission transport.
“We have a clear ambition to be climate neutral and have set ambitious goals, including being a self-sufficient provider of clean energy and having 100% emission-free transport by 2026. These innovative ships are key to fulfilling that ambition and will form an essential component of a zero-emissions logistics chain linking our facilities,” explains Kai Just Olsen, Director, ASKO Maritime.
“Fully electric trucks will take the cargo between the warehouses and the ports of Moss and Horten, and in shipments of 16 the trailers will be transported across the fjord on the battery-driven vessels. This solution is cost effective, sustainable and will remove trucks from a heavily trafficked road.”
ENOVA, owned by Norway’s Ministry of Climate and Environment, is funding 119 million NOK for the project as a part of its commitment to reduce emissions and transfer transport from road to sea where viable.
The vessels will be equipped with the technology required for zero emission and unmanned operation by Kongsberg Maritime, while Massterly will ensure ship management and safe operations from their shore-based Remote Operations Centre. The two vessels will initially operate with a reduced crew, before moving towards unmanned voyages.
Thomas Wilhelmsen, CEO of Wilhelmsen Group, added: “The ASKO contract illustrates how Massterly is key in making autonomy a reality for short-sea shipping. We are proud to be the world’s first ship management company to operate unmanned vessels for commercial use. Now we are one step closer to our goal of enabling sustainable trade: through cost effective, safe, and environmentally friendly logistics.”
Since the ASKO operation lies inside Norway’s coastal jurisdiction, the Norwegian Maritime Authorities (NMA) have to be happy that safety levels have been attained before the issuance of approval of operations for these vessels.
The NMA will consequently observe the project through an in depth chance assessment, primarily based totally on IMO 1455 guidelines with regards to equivalent and alternative designs, new technology, verification, and approval for operation. DNV GL will also support this process as an independent third party.
The vessels, which are due to be delivered early in 2022, have been designed by Norwegian vessel designer Naval Dynamics and will be constructed at the state-owned Cochin Shipyard in India. The functionality enabling autonomous operation will be implemented and tested after arrival in the operational area in the Oslo fjord.