Yara Birkeland Marks Three Years of Pioneering Zero-Emission Maritime Operations

The Yara Birkeland, the world’s first fully electric and autonomous containership, has completed three years of commercial service, marking a milestone in the journey toward zero-emission maritime transport.

Launched in the spring of 2022, the 3,200-deadweight-ton (dwt) vessel has been in active operation between Yara International’s production facility in Porsgrunn and the Port of Brevik in Norway. Since entering service, the 80-meter-long and 15-meter-wide vessel has completed over 250 voyages, transporting more than 35,000 containers, while significantly reducing the need for diesel-powered trucking.

Operated by Yara International, a Norwegian chemical company, the vessel was developed in partnership with Kongsberg Group and constructed by Vard, with funding support from the Norwegian state enterprise Enova. The Yara Birkeland represents a major innovation in clean shipping, helping to set new standards in both efficiency and environmental performance.

Central to the vessel’s capability is its 6.8 MWh battery system, powered by Leclanché’s MRS-2 marine rack system, which enables fully electric operation without reliance on fossil fuels. This setup not only lowers greenhouse gas emissions but also contributes to operational cost savings.

In terms of environmental impact, the Yara Birkeland has replaced approximately 35,000 diesel truck trips, cutting CO₂ emissions by around 1,000 tonnes annually, while also reducing noise and particulate pollution in nearby communities.

Beyond emission reduction, the vessel continues to advance in autonomous functionality. Recent developments include successful supervised auto-docking and auto-crossing, bringing the industry a step closer to fully autonomous maritime transport.

Phil Broad, CEO of E-Mobility at Leclanché, commented on the vessel’s success:

“We are proud to support the Yara Birkeland, which showcases the viability of battery-powered vessels at scale. Its progress underscores the importance of sustained investment in clean energy technologies.”

Jon Sletten, Project Owner at Yara Birkeland, added:

“The vessel has proven to be a vital contributor to environmental improvements, both locally and globally. The international recognition it has received continues to inspire broader efforts within the maritime sector to cut emissions.”