Intership orders hybrid wellboat, taking fleet to nine
Wellboat company Intership, which operates in Norway, Chile, Scotland, Iceland and Canada, has ordered a new hybrid vessel.
The wellboat will be equipped with energy recovery solutions and a large battery package to permit hybrid operation, the Norwegian company said in a press release. It will have a total capacity of 2,500m³ and a reverse osmosis system.
To avoid major depth restrictions the newbuild will have a low operational draught compared to its size.
Built in Bilbao
The vessel will be built by the Spanish shipyard Zamakona Yards Bilbao, based on a design from Salt Ship Design, and will be delivered during the fourth quarter of 2022, making it Intership’s second wellboat delivery of 2022. A wellboat with a capacity of 2,200m³, also being built in Bilbao, is due for delivery in the first quarter and will operate on a long-term contract for Mowi in Atlantic Canada.
Intership chief executive Ole Peter Brandal said: “Intership holds a sustainable mindset and the contracting of a wellboat with one of the market’s largest battery packages is a big step towards a greener profile for both us and the industry as a whole.
“Our focus has been to design a flexible and versatile wellboat which is competitive both today and in the future. Hence, it is essential that the vessel has the lowest possible climate footprint and impact on the environment. This is achieved not only through the installed battery-hybrid solution but also by facilitating the installation of a reverse osmosis system for freshwater production, which in many places is a scarce and necessary resource.”
Designed for all markets
Vessels with a lower draught are sometimes required in some areas such as Scotland, where fish farms are often in shallower waters that in those in Norway’s deep fjords.
Brandal told Fish Farming Expert that the wellboat was designed for fit in every market where the company is situated, including Scotland.
“This is a vessel type and size we will build more of, and hopefully we will be able to increase our presence in Scotland with this design,” added the executive.
The hybrid wellboat will bring Intership’s total fleet capacity to almost 16,000m³ across nine wellboats.
