FRANKFURT/OSLO: DB Schenker has signed a pre-study agreement with furniture manufacturer customer Ekornes and vessel designer Naval Dynamics with the goal of operating an autonomous, electric-powered, short-sea container feeder vessel between the Norwegian ports of Ikornnes and Alesund.

The ship leverages Naval Dynamics’ NDS AutoBarge 250 concept developed in partnership with marine technology company Kongsberg and autonomous vessel operator Massterly, who will use a team of certified navigators and naval engineers to monitor and control the vessel remotely.

The ship will complete the 43-kilometre trip between Ekornes’ own port and Alesund in three hours at a speed of 7.7 knots carrying up to 300 DWT of containerised cargo.

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