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Tag: Shipping

Inmarsat launches push-to-talk communications

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Global Beam Telecom, Cobham Satcom and Inmarsat have launched a new Push-To-Talk (PTT) offering, BGAN PRISM PTT+, in partnership with Hytera. This complete satellite-enhanced connectivity solution, now available through Hytera mobile radios, will help businesses overcome coverage redundancy and operational downtime associated with traditional radio systems.

This new unified network solution combines leading expertise in satellite connectivity, radio systems (LMR/DMR) and cellular devices (3G/LTE) to create a unique PTT offering that will accelerate advanced connectivity adoption among businesses in the Middle East.

Supported by Inmarsat’s BGAN service – powered by the company’s unparalleled, global ELERA (L-band) satellite network – the solution provides industry-leading reliability of 99.9%+ uptime and enables seamless radio over internet protocol (IP) capabilities. It will ensure businesses have access to real-time communications and telemetry capabilities, increasing their visibility of operations and the safety of remote workers and assets.

Mike Carter, President of Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “In this new partnership, Inmarsat is proud to build on our longstanding relationships with Global Beam Telecom and Cobham Satcom, by welcoming Hytera into the fold. This collaboration will be a game-changer for remote workers in the Middle East. It will combine top-of-the-range hardware and software with the best connectivity to provide a new, unmatched PTT service for customers.

“The expertise and technological strength in ELERA, Inmarsat’s industry-leading narrowband network, makes us the perfect connectivity partner to power this new PTT solution. Combined with the immense capabilities of our collaborators, this partnership will keep remote workers safe and connected wherever they are, even in the most remote locations.”

The sophisticated solution will transform customer experience across three key areas: coverage, interoperability, and capability. Incorporating satellite coverage provides exceptional network resilience, enabling seamless switching between radio and satellite while sustaining constant coverage anywhere in the world. Enhanced interoperability will allow for a range of communication methods to mix and connect effortlessly and encourage cross entity transmission, while digitalisation will provide enhanced end-user capabilities such as conversation recall, replay, and expanded data-analysis possibilities.

The unique BGAN PRISM PTT+, one of Global Beam Telecom’s integrated connectivity solutions, features Inmarsat’s highly-reliable ELERA capabilities and brings together hardware components from Cobham’s EXPLORER 323 Terminal and EXPLORER Mobile Gateway, Hytera’s lightweight but robust digital two-way radio (PD505) and professional Digital Mobile Radio (MD785i). The partnership provides the ultimate offering, supplying real-time GPS, telemetry, and PTT capabilities to create a consistent solution for businesses.

Shabeer Mohammad, Managing Director at Global Beam Telecom said “We are looking forward to sharing BGAN PRISM PTT+ with our customers. As the system integrator, configuring the expertise of the four companies – all of which boast years of experience in their respective fields – provided us the perfect opportunity to bring the ultimate flexible connectivity solution to enterprise customers.”

Stanley Song, Deputy General Manager of Hytera Overseas Sales Department and Sales Director of Hytera MENA, said: “Following the successful completion of our two-phase testing process, we have established a solution that is exceptionally well-suited to the Middle East. With robust hardware – capable of withstanding temperatures up to 60°C – combined with the durability of Inmarsat’s global BGAN offering, we are able to provide customers with the most impressive solution currently on the market, ensuring the ultimate safety and operational efficiency of their fleets.”

Henrik Nørrelykke, Vice President and Head of Critical Communications at Cobham Satcom, said: “We are excited to help bring this powerful and very cost-effective platform to customers across the Middle East. By building on existing terrestrial infrastructure, it enables enterprise customers to enhance their operations by adding the extensive capabilities of satellite connectivity without the need for significant CAPEX investment. This allows them to prioritise the day-to-day expenses of quality operations and implement a more scalable business model in the long-term.”

Inmarsat’s ELERA network is the world’s most reliable satellite network for IoT and secure narrowband connectivity. ELERA offers more global spectrum than any L-band provider, with its recently launched I-6 F1 satellite (and I-6 F2 launching in Q1 2023) making the best use of the available spectrum and providing 50% more capacity per beam.

 

 

First all-electric terminal tractor arrives at British port

Posted on by Keith McKinley

DP World has announced the arrival of the first ever all-electric terminal tractor at a British port in a significant step forward in greening the UK logistics sector.

The Terberg YT203-EV terminal tractor which is entering service at London Gateway will primarily be used for transporting goods the two mile distance from the quayside to a distribution facility at the adjacent logistics park, a prime example of the trend towards port-centric logistics. DP World – the leading provider of smart logistics solutions, helping trade flow across the globe – plans to make its entire fleet of 11 terminal tractors at London Gateway all-electric in the near future.

Ernst Schulze, UK Chief Executive at DP World, said: “We are delighted that Britain’s first all-electric terminal tractor is now in service at London Gateway port, as we continue to play our part in improving local air quality and helping the UK meet its target of delivering the Net Zero 2050 policy.

“We have a clear responsibility to reduce the impact of our operations and to offer customers solutions that support their own sustainability journeys. The close proximity of London Gateway to Europe’s largest consumer market gives us a natural advantage, while our investment in rail interconnectivity at both our hubs eases congestion on the roads, with the emphasis on rail across both our UK ports taking 300,000 trucks off the roads each year.”

Earlier this month DP World announced that its container terminal at Southampton had become the first in Britain to eliminate fossil diesel from its operations entirely. By transitioning to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) net carbon dioxide emissions have been cut by more than 80%.

Maha AlQattan, Group Chief People & Sustainability Officer, said: “We believe in protecting our people and our planet through world-class environmental standards and are delighted that our UK operation is at the forefront of this drive. Our sustainability strategy ‘Our World, Our Future’ is woven into everything we do supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals across safety, climate change, security, community engagement, people development, ethics and wellbeing.”

The first all-electric terminal tractor at a British port is one part of DP World’s commitment to improving and expanding the nation’s trading infrastructure in the most sustainable way possible. The £300m sum which it is investing to build the new fourth berth at London Gateway – which could be 100% electric when it is completed in 2024 – builds on the £2bn investment DP World has made in Britain over the last decade.

“We must innovate for a safer supply chain”

Posted on by David Priestman

So say TT Club and ICHCA which, with the support of TOC Europe, are emphasising their message by launching an inaugural Safety Village at the upcoming conference and exhibition in Rotterdam between 14th and 16th of June. The first of its type, the exhibition space will be dedicated to how innovation can lead to a safer supply chain.

Recent widespread disruption to global supply chains and the consequent pressures on freight transport capacity and cargo handling facilities requires a corresponding focus on safety measures throughout the system. As the success of the TT Club Innovation in Safety Award programme, operated by ICHCA International, has proved, there have been numerous ground-breaking innovations with multiple applications aimed at reducing these safety risks. However, the two organisations are keen to raise the awareness of the need for continuous development of the ways that we manage safety.

Featuring a meeting area and presentation facilities, the TT Club Safety Village will be the venue for workshops and panel sessions throughout the three days of the TOC Europe event. It will also provide opportunities for companies to showcase their innovative safety devices, processes and products. All aimed at championing safety in the supply chain and developing new solutions to managing risks.

Peregrine Storrs-Fox, Risk Management Director at leading international freight transport insurer TT Club, comments: “It has been TT’s consistent mission to increase the levels of safety across myriad operational functions that constitute the global supply chain. We are keen to encourage every type of innovation from securing loads on all modes of transport to the correct handling of dangerous materials, and from safer working practices and equipment in cargo handling facilities to avoidance of vehicle collisions and fire prevention.

“Providing a focal point for discussion and promotion of such innovations at a leading industry forum such as TOC Europe will be a further benefit to the cause of safety that TT can provide.”

ICHCA International, the representative body for cargo handling operators across the globe, has run TT Club’s Innovation in Safety Award since its inception and is passionate about sharing innovation and learning across the industry. CEO Richard Steele points out, “In the recent past, our efforts together with TT Club have helped promulgate safety innovations including Hapag Lloyd’s Cargo Patrol that detects suspected misdeclared dangerous goods; terminal automation advances from Kunz and Yardeye in cooperation with CSX Terminals; VIKING Life-Saving’s fire suppressant systems, as well as safety devices developed by PSA International and Cargotec.

“Yet these represent just the tip of the iceberg. We were thrilled to see so many innovative ideas put forward for this Award. A digest of these will be available at the Safety Village and we hope it will help to inspire many other projects in the future.”

Representatives of both TT Club and ICHCA will be present in the Village at TOC Europe and invitations to attend the workshops and presentations will be issued in the near future.

 

 

 

 

Semtech transforms maritime asset tracking

Posted on by David Priestman

Semtech Corporation, a leading global supplier of high performance analogue and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, has announced that Boluda Corporación Marítima, a leading global maritime services provider, will leverage an asset tracking solution from WITRAC, a Valencia-based company offering innovative technology solutions that connect and provide visibility to the value chain.

Integrated with Semtech’s LoRa devices and the LoRaWAN standard, WITRAC’s Total Track & Trace Intelligent Platform transports cold chain assets in Boluda’s supply chain, providing citizens of the Canary Islands with the first daily transportation of cargo from the peninsula with over 350 successful voyages.

“Semtech’s LoRa devices offered a cost-effective solution for WITRAC’s Total Track & Trace Intelligent Platform. With ships transporting thousands of containers, installing a satellite modem in each container would make this type of solution economically non-viable,” said Jose Pons Ballester, co-founder and CTO of WITRAC. “Employing a network using LoRaWAN as well as leveraging the LoRa 2.4GHz band allowed us to place a WITRAC device in every single container to share real-time offshore and onshore visibility to thousands of containers – an unmatched value for our customers.”

Using a combination of LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi, BLE, and cellular connectivity options in the same hardware device, WITRAC’s Total Track & Trace Intelligent Platform provides real-time visibility and control of offshore operations. In addition to temperature monitoring, the platform’s “Perfect Route System” is able to geolocate a fleet’s vessels, allowing alerts to be set for deviations in fuel consumption, speed, routes, or miles travelled, which also permits shippers to take corrective measures en route.

The success of the platform led Boluda to implement WITRAC’s platform to monitor the location and temperature status of the fresh food and medicine on its seven container vessels traveling 700 miles from the Spanish mainland on the maritime corridor linking the Port of Cádiz to the island ports of Las Palmas and Tenerife.

“Remotely monitoring the location and temperature of assets during an entire cold chain was once viewed as a challenge. Through implementing LoRa devices and LoRaWAN, asset tracking has never been more simple and cost effective,” said Marc Pégulu, vice president of IoT product marketing and strategy for Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group. “WITRAC’s tracking solution is a valuable example of how LoRa and LoRaWAN networks can transform smart logistics to prevent loss or damage of assets no matter the distance.”

José Pons Ballester will be discussing the benefits of the Boluda “Daily Canarias” solution at the LoRaWAN World Expo taking place July 6-7, 2022, in Paris, France. CLICK HERE to register for the conference.

CLICK HERE to view the use case with more information on the collaboration here.

 

 

Multimodal operators P&O Ferrymasters and Unifeeder combine

Posted on by David Priestman

DP World is to combine its two multimodal operators in Europe, P&O Ferrymasters Ltd. and Unifeeder Shortsea with immediate effect, offering an enhanced proposition to its customers across Europe.

Through the agreement based joint venture, DP World will establish a single brand – P&O Ferrymasters – combining the strengths of both operators and offering customers Intra-European multimodal transportation solutions via trailer, container, and rail, complemented by a set of strong supportive logistics solutions. This enhancement in offerings will allow customers to further optimise their supply chains in a much broader as well as sustainable manner.

Timm Niebergall, CEO P&O Ferrymasters, said: “By joining the forces of the two leading multimodal specialists we will establish a single brand standing for unique intra-European multimodal transportation and logistics services.

“It will enable our valued customers to benefit from the widened outreach and network, as well as direct access to a full range one-stop shop for multimodal supply chains services in Europe, while our vendors will benefit from opportunities for closer collaboration.”

Unifeeder Shortsea is a business unit of Unifeeder A/S. It will now operate under the new joint trade name P&O Ferrymasters. All present agreements with P&O Ferrymasters and Unifeeder Shortsea will be honoured and remain in place and there will be no changes to the daily business or operations.

 

FourKites appoints supply chain veteran to ocean role

Posted on by David Priestman

Philippe Salles has been appointed FourKites’ Vice President of Strategic Solutions (Ocean), bringing a wealth of experience to this booming area of the company’s business.

“I’m delighted to be joining FourKites,” says Philippe, who brings experience from CMA CGM, INTTRA and maritime research and consultancy firm Drewry. “Visibility has been ocean shippers’ top priority for decades, and today’s real-time visibility platforms have completely changed the game. In addition to its market-leading machine learning-driven platform, FourKites understands that industry mindset and professionalism are as important as the technology itself. We need to provide shippers with a long-term strategic vision for their supply chain to make them resilient and collaborative.”

Philippe is an industry veteran with a detailed understanding of current supply chain issues. In his new role at FourKites, he will work closely work with FourKites shippers and carriers to support them as they execute the change management needed to improve end-to-end supply chain visibility. Moreover, he will accelerate time to value for FourKites users by removing operational pain points and maximising the effectiveness of the systems they use.

“Philippe has a rare depth of experience, especially when it comes to evolving some of the traditional areas of ocean shipping with new technology,” says Mathew Elenjickal, FourKites Founder and CEO. “His network, the trust he’s built up in the industry and his expertise in supply chain management will be invaluable to our customers as we continue to drive innovation in ocean visibility.”

Unprecedented ocean momentum

Salles’ appointment is the latest leap forward in FourKites’ momentum in supply chain visibility for seagoing container traffic. FourKites now tracks 98% of global ocean container traffic across more than 270 lanes and 120 carriers, and covers every container port in North America and all major ports in Europe.

Over the last 12 months, the company has seen:

  • 79% growth in the number of customers using supply chain visibility for international shipments, with a 23% jump in Q1 2022 alone
  • 215% growth in the volume of seagoing freight that it tracks, with a 190% increase in ocean shipments in EMEA
  • 16% growth in the number of ports tracked in EMEA, now totalling coverage of 239 ports in the region and 804 ports globally

In the last quarter, FourKites signed a number of new ocean customers, including Cardinal Health, Arizona Tile, LyondellBasell, McCain Foods, Roehm, Rove Concepts and Yamaha Motors, among many others.

LyondellBasell, to take one example, is a top-10 global chemicals producer with operations around the world. The company has been a FourKites customer since 2018, when it began tracking shipments across all modes of transport in North America. Based on its success to date with the FourKites platform, the company extended its contract with FourKites in Q1 2022 to track multimodal shipments in Europe.

“Global shippers love FourKites’ Dynamic Ocean platform because it addresses the full spectrum of shipping issues,” says Philippe. “And the company’s proprietary Dynamic ETA technology provides estimated times of arrival that are 20% to 40% more accurate than carrier-generated figures. That’s important because timing errors can add significantly to costs.”

FourKites’ Dynamic Ocean addresses the full spectrum of ocean shipping issues through advanced document management and collaboration features; state-of-the-art real-time tracking capabilities, including highly accurate predictive ETAs; and comprehensive multimodal visibility from port to door, including the yard, so shippers can identify and manage the root causes of escalating fees.

Thermo King supplies Hapag-Lloyd with 950 generator sets

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Thermo King, a leader in transport temperature control solutions, has supplied 950 of its latest clip-on SG-5000 generator sets to Hapag-Lloyd, one of the global leaders of container shipping. The Thermo King SG-5000 can power all ISO reefers on the market and ensures complete temperature control and protection of the refrigerated cargo. The new fleet of SG-5000 generator sets will serve in Hapag-Lloyd’s intermodal operations throughout North America.

Designed and manufactured specifically for the North American market, the Thermo King SG-5000 gensets’ engine is compliant California Air Resource Board (CARB), for the lifetime of the product, protecting the customers’ investment and removing the need for retrofit or replacement. As with the CARB regulations, the SG-5000 also enables lifetime compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 standards for off-highway diesel engines.

“Thermo King’s generator sets deliver a mix of performance, connectivity, low running costs, and no-compromise load protection we were looking for,” said Andrea Schoening, Senior Director Container Steering, at Hapag-Lloyd. ”Their compliance with the strictest emissions requirements is also aligned with our sustainability strategy to implement technology that reduces carbon emissions, fuel and energy consumption.”

”We are committed to supply our customers with the most innovative product portfolio for generator sets – and to be a trusted partner through the product’s lifecycle,” said Bruno Fusciani, Commercial Leader Thermo King Marine. “In the SG-5000, we incorporated proven and reliable technology with variety of innovations and enhanced connectivity. We’re sure the lifetime CARB compliance of the product will help Hapag-Lloyd to focus on making the most of current and future operations with the peace of mind they need.”

The market leading performance and modular design of the SG-5000 clip-on units allows to power any reefer – including the SuperFreezer – maximizing operational efficiency and helping lower lifetime operational costs. Additionally, the SG-5000 features an advanced controller that combines simple, easy to use navigation with advanced diagnostics offering intelligence, control and telematics capabilities including:

  • Automated pre-trip testing
  • Advanced self-check features, including alarms
  • Auto restart
  • Data logging of events, alarms, and messages
  • Real-time monitoring and management of position, fuel, engine hours and running parameters on rail, by road or at terminal.

The SG-5000 are manufactured in the USA, in a state-of-the-art production line featuring the latest industry automated quality control processes.

 

Antwerp “one of the greenest container terminals”

Posted on by Keith McKinley

As the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) seeks to halve carbon emissions from the shipping sector by 2050, DP World in Antwerp continues to be one of the greenest container terminals in the port of Antwerp according to its latest sustainability report.

The ultra-modern multimodal terminal has reduced its CO2 emissions by 28% since 2019, which represents an overall 51% reduction since 2013, much of which has been due to investment in hybrid straddle carriers and Automated Stacking Cranes (ASCs), which are also increasing capacity.

The terminal runs on 100% green energy, and it has avoided 187,379 truck visits in the last two years due to night openings. These initiatives have also reduced nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter emissions.

DP World in Antwerp produces its unique sustainability report every two years to ensure it stays on track while providing full visibility to its customers and stakeholders. The latest report, which was delayed by a year due to the pandemic, reveals some of the innovative technology led solutions that have allowed it to remain a frontrunner for the sector in its aim to become net zero.

Currently contributing 3% to all emissions, the shipping sector has been singled out as an important partner in helping to reach global emission reduction goals. The industry has set itself a goal to reach 40% reduction in carbon output compared to 2008 level by 2040, and to halve it by 2050.

With those ambitions in mind, one of DP World’s most impressive achievements is the amount of electricity it is generating on site in Antwerp, which accounted for 74% of the energy it used in 2021. This is achieved through its unique biogas plant (59%) and its on-site wind turbines (15%). The shortfall is purchased from a local green energy supplier, but the firm aims to reduce this to zero as it becomes 100% self-powered in future.

It has also invested heavily in more energy efficient technology, with more expensive hybrid and electric equipment being purchased as part of its commitment to its environmental ambitions. It now has a total of 43 hybrid straddle carriers on-site and 10 electric ASC modules, with two more expected to be operational by the end of 2022 and a plan to add eight more by 2024.

These ASCs perform fully automatic handling of the containers allowing more containers to be stacked, both higher and closer together, saving vital space and using almost 50% less energy on the landside to process a container than a straddle carrier.

DP World in Antwerp is also helping its customers improve their carbon footprint by offering multimodal transport options that reduce the number of truck journeys required. Its rail hub can handle six trains up to 750m in length simultaneously and administers up to 40 trains each week, with flexible direct connections to every major European industrial region.

The port is also connected to the 1,500km-long Belgian waterways and to the pan-European river and canal network, resulting in a substantial 35% of all cargo to/from DP World in Antwerp being transported by barge.

In a further demonstration of their commitment to their sustainability goals, the team at Antwerp also recently moved their operations into a new, eco-friendly office, which celebrated its official inauguration in April this year. The energy-efficient building uses concrete core activation for cleaner heating and 100% renewable electricity.

Rashid Abdulla, CEO of DP World Europe said: “Electrification of terminals is the way to a zero-emissions future. Our electricity demand in Antwerp is met entirely by locally produced and green energy from our own windmill, biogas plant, and locally purchased green power. This significantly reduces the CO2 emissions of our operation.

“We have also invested heavily in our multimodal infrastructure, and we have introduced electric and hybrid technology. Like electric cars, these cost more than the fossil fuel alternatives, but we believe this offers a stronger long-term investment and also helps with our strategy to increase capacity by 30% at the terminal by 2026.”

DP World has more than 97,000 employees working at its operations in over 69 countries. It is the leading provider of smart logistics solutions, enabling the flow of trade across the globe. The firm has set itself ambitious sustainability goals across its global business, committing to a 28% reduction of carbon footprint by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Earlier this year it produced its first ever ESG report, which recorded an 18% renewable electricity share at Group level, representing a 5.6% increase from 2020 to 2021. It achieved a 13.30 emission intensity (kgCO2e/ModTEU) from its Ports and Terminals business, a reduction of 9% from the previous year.

Abdulla added: “We are very happy with the progress we have made globally and at our European terminals, but we know there is still a long way to go and we are aware of a number of new solutions coming to market, such as alternative fuels and our very own intelligent High Bay Storage (HBS) system “Boxbay”, which we are looking forward to incorporating into our business to allow us to continue to make progress towards our ambitious net zero goal.”

 

Norlat launches breakbulk service to USA

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Neustädter Hafen remains an important hub for breakbulk transports to North America: Norlat Shipping Ltd. AS, headquartered in Sarpsborg, Norway, has announced the launch of a regular service from Bremen to ports on the US East coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. The new service will focus on large breakbulk goods such as forestry and steel products. In its recently published timetable, Norlat Shipping revealed that the first departure from Bremen is scheduled for the beginning of June.

The company, with roots going back to 1907, has been operating for some 30 years with its own and chartered ships mainly from Scandinavia to North Africa and the USA. Apart from its headquarters, the company also has branches in Bergen, Norway and in Gothenburg, Sweden.

For BLG LOGISTICS and Neustädter Hafen, the start of this new service sets an important signal: “Transports to North America have always been the backbone of Bremen’s port operations. We’re delighted with Norlat’s decision to regularly use Neustädter Hafen and offer our established customers a new option. It will massively strengthen our position in this operating area,” says Sven Riekers, Head of Sales for the breakbulk activities of the BLG Group.

Commenting on the move, Thomas Johansen, Senior Chartering Manager at Norlat Shipping, says “Many years of personal experience with the terminal, its workforce and the customers served made this an easy decision. We know the structures at the port and value BLG’s operational competence. These are the best conditions to ensure we’ll be able to offer customers an attractive new service.”

 

DB Schenker to operate autonomous coastal container feeder

Posted on by Keith McKinley

DB Schenker, one of the world’s leading logistics providers, has revealed plans to operate an innovative zero-emission coastal container feeder in Norway. The fully electric vessel has a unique design, making it the first of its kind in the world.

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

The new 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 43km (23NM) journey within three hours, at a speed of 7.7kn. 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 Center (ROC), whose team members include certified navigators and naval engineers.

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

Knut Eriksmoen, CEO Norway, DB Schenker: “We are delighted to be further intensifying an already strong relationship with our customer Ekornes. This unique project marks another important step toward 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.”

Roger Lunde, CEO, Ekornes AS: “We’re continuously working toward our goal of becoming the world’s leading manufacturer of sustainable premium furniture. 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.”

Geir Håøy, CEO, KONGSBERG ASA: “We’re beginning to see a general shift away from road transport of goods – with its considerable carbon footprint – toward 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.”

Tom Eystø, Managing Director, Massterly: “We are very pleased to be working with Ekornes and DB Schenker to create a smart logistics solution for the Ekornes production site. The small, fully electric, and energy-efficient cargo vessel will be designed for uncrewed operations. Massterly will operate the vessel from our Remote Operation Center. 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, Naval Dynamics AS: “The AutoBarge 250 Coast Feeder is designed from the keel up for efficient and zero-emission autonomous operations. In partnership with Massterly AS – the vessel operator and technical manager – and Kongsberg Maritime AS – 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.”

The benefits here will 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 pioneering vessel in Norway and then take the next crucial steps forward by obtaining approval from the Norwegian Maritime Authority, and possibly governmental incentives for the sustainability and technology aspects.

 

 

 

 

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