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Case studies

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Moving towards greener, more efficient transportation

Yara International’s new ship, Yara Birkeland, is the world’s first fully electric and autonomous, zero-emission container ship. The vessel is 80 metres long with a capacity of 120 TEUs. Before it commenced operation, the company approached DFDS to help carry out tests in port and at sea.  

SAFE DISCHARGE & LOADING 

at port 

OPTIMAL STABILITY 

at sea 

Challenge 

Pre-approval testing 

The new ship is an exciting game-changer in the push for sustainable transport, however, approval to commence operation required approval from the Norwegian Maritime Administration. Yara International approached us to help carry out the necessary tests in port and at sea so that it could begin to transport fertiliser from its Herøya production plant to Brevik in Norway. 

DFDS, freight, vessel, night, sundown
DFDS freight vessel sailing at night.

Solution 

Two tests – in port and at sea 

Our role was to perform two tests. The first, in December 2020, was a discharge and loading test at Brevik. The second carried out a year later, was to test the stability of the Yara Birkeland at sea. Following the tests, we made some adjustments, and the ship was approved for operation by the Norwegian Maritime Administration.  

Watch the film to learn more about what Yara Birkeland means for the future. 

Results 

Automated offloading of 200 containers 

The Yara Birkeland began commercial operation in the spring of 2022. When it arrives at Brevik, we offload the containers automatically with electric cranes and related equipment. Containers are then ready for onward sea shipping to Europe. The ship spends seven hours in Brevik, during which we handle up to 200 containers.  

“Seeing Yara Birkeland arrive at the port pushes us towards a green future and contributes to our focus on green mobility.” 

- Thorbjörn Aasig Lund Lippestad, Managing Director at DFDS 

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