Autonomous box ship to get autonomous container handling solution

Written by Nick Blenkey
image description

MAY 24, 2018 — Kalmar, part of Cargotec, is to supply Yara International SA with fully autonomous equipment, software and services for a unique, fully digitalized container handling solution at Yara’s Porsgrunn facility in Norway.

This means that all the necessary operations related to the world’s first autonomous and electric container vessel Yara Birkeland (see earlier story) will be conducted in a fully autonomous and cost efficient manner, with zero emissions. The order was booked in Cargotec’s 2018 second quarter order intake and delivery is scheduled to be completed during the second quarter of 2020.

“With this agreement, Yara Birkeland is not just the world’s first electric and autonomous container vessel; it is the world’s first fully digitalized and electric supply chain, with all operations, including loading, unloading and sailing conducted in a fully autonomous manner with zero emissions. Kalmar has the proven equipment and software, and the know-how to integrate their solutions into our supply chain,” said Tove Andersen, EVP Production, Yara.

Yara, a world leading mineral fertilizer company, last year announced a partnership with Kongsberg to build the world’s first fully autonomous, battery operated container vessel.

Kalmar will provide the autonomous loading and unloading solution for Yara Birkeland, as well as transportation between the fertilizer production facilities and the quay. The Kalmar solution consists of one Kalmar Automated Rail Mounted Gantry Crane (AutoRMG), three Kalmar FastCharge AutoStrad automated straddle carriers, a FastCharge charging station and related automation and safety systems. The solution will be implemented in phases, with the level of automation gradually increased over time. The end result will be a fully autonomous, mixed-traffic and zero-emission solution in an industrial environment.

Kalmar will also support Yara’s operations with a full-scale service contract. The Kalmar Care contract includes full maintenance with parts for Kalmar FastCharge AutoStrads including an availability agreement as well as preventive maintenance for the Kalmar AutoRMG crane. Furthermore, Kalmar personnel will provide operational, automation and software support for the whole solution.

“We are very excited to work with Yara on this unique groundbreaking project. The project involves several firsts for us, including the first fully automated RMG for vessel loading, unloading and container storage management. Furthermore, the Kalmar FastCharge AutoStrads will drive along the public roads in the Porsgrunn industrial park, which is also used by normal road traffic. We are working closely with local authorities and other parties to ensure the safety of passengers and vehicles at all times,” said Tero Kokko, Senior Vice President, Automation and Projects, Kalmar.

 

 

Categories: News Tags: , , , , ,

One Response to “Autonomous box ship to get autonomous container handling solution”

June 13, 2019 at 12:14 pm, Autonomous ship will have automated mooring system - Marine Log said:

[…] is part of Cargotec. Another Cargotec company, Kalmar, will provide the autonomous loading and unloading solution for Yara Birkeland, as well as transportation between the fertilizer production facilities and the […]

Leave a Reply