Service boat operator FSV orders five new vessels
Norwegian aquaculture service boat operator FSV Group has signed a contract for the delivery of five new vessels from boatbuilder Sletta Verft.
It is the largest deal both FSV – which operates in Norway and Canada - and Sletta Verft have ever signed.
The new vessel concept is specially developed for smaller freight and towing assignments, service and support in the aquaculture industry.
The design places great emphasis on optimal hull utilisation to provide the best possible load capacity, stability and sea characteristics.
Up to 7 new boats
FSV, based in Molde, is incorporating new technology to ensure efficient and safe operations on board, the company said in a press release.
The service boat operator also has two vessels under construction at Sletta Verft which will be delivered in October 2020 and May 2021, in addition to the order for five new vessels. The first new vessel will be delivered in June 2021 and the last in May 2022. There is an option to cancel the last three vessels.
FSV general manager Arild Aasmyr said the group had experienced strong growth in recent times and now saw a need to expand the fleet considerably.
‘Well-run shipyard’
“FSV has an ambition to be among the leading players in the service vessel market. The success formula is forward-looking vessels in combination with skilled employees. I am sure this will contribute to further positive development for the company,” said Aasmyr.
“We have again chosen Sletta Verft as a boat builder because they won in tough competition with several other shipyards, while at the same time are a well-run shipyard that has demonstrated that they can deliver on quality, price and time.”
FSV currently owns and operates nine vessels, and also hires in service vessels to meet demand.
Atlantic Canada
One of its boats, the Multi Quality, is currently on its way to Atlantic Canada, where it will carry out delousing and other service assignments for Mowi Canada East off the coast on Newfoundland. It is equipped with an FLS Avluser built by Flatsetsund Engineering.
The FLS Avluser uses seawater flushing to remove lice in a closed environment, completely free of chemicals or heated water. According to FLS, it has a documented fish mortality of only 0.2%. The Multi Quality is the first vessel equipped with FLS delousing technology to operate outside Norway.
Enabler II
A second vessel, the FSV barge Enabler II, which will also be equipped with an FLS Avluser, will follow this summer and will operate for Mowi off New Brunswick.
FSV established a company in Newfoundland, FSV Services NL Ltd, in early 2019, and already has one of its boats, the 26.9 metre x 11.5m Multi Green, working for Mowi there.
