BERKELEY, CA—Converting U.S.-flagged ships from internal combustion engines to battery-electric systems could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade, according to a recent study conducted by Berkeley National Laboratory. That’s because shipping represents 3 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
Next-generation vessels such as the Yara Birkeland (photo above) could address the issue. The 262-foot-long fully electric, autonomous container ship currently operates in Norway.