Norway-based ASKO Maritime has taken delivery of two autonomous electric barges from India-based Cochin Shipyard (CSL).
The fully electric, 67m-long barges each include a battery with a capacity of 1,846kWh.
The vessels have been loaded onto a yacht transport carrier mother ship, which will be used to transport them to Norway.
Partly funded by the Norwegian Government, the vessels have been built under a green shipping programme to facilitate emission-free goods transportation across the Oslo fjords.
Incorporating Kongsberg Maritime systems, each vessel has the capacity to ship 16 fully loaded Standard EU trailers across the fjords in one go.
The vessels are constructed according to the DNV GL Classification as well as the rules of the Norwegian Maritime Authority.
They were designed by Naval Dynamics and constructed by CSL.
Both vessels are managed by Massterly, a joint venture between Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen.
CSL business development general manager Sivaram Narayana Swamy said: “Cochin Shipyard is very proud to bring a very, very ambitious futuristic project for the nation.
“This is a project which is envisaged by one of the most advanced nations in the world, Norway, which is working hard for the zero carbon emission green digital transportation solution.
“India as a nation will demonstrate its capabilities and capacities in the new frontiers and make the world more sustainable, greener and more carbon-free.”
