World’s biggest delouser ordered for ex-supply ship
Aquaculture services supplier Frøy has ordered the world’s largest delousing system from Norwegian manufacturer SkaMik.
The equipment will be used aboard the Skandi Texel, a 70-metre oil and gas industry supply vessel bought by Frøy for conversion into a delousing boat.
“We are particularly pleased that Frøy signs this agreement. When the world’s largest service company makes an investment of this size, it sends a strong signal of the quality of the SkaMik system,” said Lars Ivar Elvertrø from SkaMik’s long-term partner, Moen Marin.
Low stress load
Geir Skarstad, general manager of SkaMik, said thecompany had made significant efforts in further developing its technology. The result was a delousing system with a documented low stress load and good fish welfare during delousing. In addition, the appetite of the fish is quickly restore appetite and they resume normal feeding after a short time.
“There are three crucial factors for a delousing system; fish welfare, delousing effect and sufficient capacity. The SkaMik system delivers well on all of them,” said Elvertrø in a press release.
Frøy operations coordinator, Karl Erik Saure, said: “We must now prove that treatment boats can compete with wellboats in terms of both price, quality and efficiency. It is bit of ‘to be or not to be’, but if there is a project that can prove it, this is it!”
30-month contract
Frøy announced the purchase of the Skandi Texel from Dof ASA last Friday and said that it had entered into a 30-month agreement with a large Norwegian salmon farmer.
The project, including the purchase of a boat, rebuilding and installation of the high-capacity de-lice system, has a total investment framework of NOK 182 million. The vessel is expected to be put into operation during August 2021.
“We view this agreement as a great declaration of confidence and as a confirmation of the growth potential in the market,” said Frøy chief exectuive Helge Gåsø.
The agreement is in addition to Frøy’s ongoing newbuild programme. During the period 2021 - 2023, Frøy will take delivery of six new wellboats and eight new service vessels.
