Inverlussa's new catamaran will be the first aquaculture workboat in Scotland to use hybrid power. Illustration: Moen Marin.

Inverlussa leads electric charge towards greener future

Scottish aquaculture service boat operator Inverlussa has ordered a 15-metre hybrid-power catamaran from Norwegian boat builder Moen Marin. It will be the first hybrid service boat in use in Scotland’s fish farming industry.

Gareth Moore
Published Modified

“There is more interest for sustainable solutions from both customers and the customers’ customers. Everybody wants to be greener and more efficient,” said Inverlussa managing director Ben Wilson in a press release.

According the Inverlussa’s website, the catamaran is due to delivery in September and will use a combination of diesel and batteries which can be self-charged by the vessel or plugged in for recharging from shore power.

Specifications

  • Dimensions:
  • Length                  15m
  • Beam                    10m
  • Depth                   3m
  • Draft (approx)    2m
  • Tank Capacities:
  • Fuel                       6m³
  • Fresh water        3m³
  • Transfer pumps 10m³/hr
  • Ballast                  8m³
  • Performance:
  • Speed                   9 knots
  • Bollard pull         10 ton
  • Propulsion System / Aux Equipment:
  • Main engines     2 x Danfoss Editron Permanent Electric motor
  • Total power        700 kW
  • Propellers            Twin screw, controllable pitch props
  • Generator sets   1 x C18 500 ekW (400V 3ph 60 Hz) and
  • 1 x C9.3 310 ekW
  • Battery packs     10 Akazem 15 OEM packs, 244 kWh, parallel
  • Coupled
  • Deck Layout:
  • Deck crane aft   62 ton/m; max outreach 20.5 m
  • Deck crane fwd  31.5 ton/m; max outreach 20.6 m
  • Capstan winch   1 x 8 ton & 1 x 5 ton
  • Main winch         15 ton
  • Deck area/dimensions 136 m2; 19 m x 8.3 m
  • Deck cargo          50 ton
  • Accommodation:
  • 5 persons - 1 x 2 berth cabins, 3 x 1 berth cabin
  • Heated living space
  • Shower/toilet
  • Changing/drying area
  • Separate galley/mess room

Quiet and fuel-efficient

The battery back means no overnight generator is required, which will reduce noise, fuel consumption and the vessel’s carbon footprint.

Wilson called the investment in the hybrid a milestone.

“I expect this will become more common in the future. “For us, it is about being able to offer our customers the widest possible range of the latest and greatest technology. This vessel is such an example.”

‘Just the beginning’

Graham Smith, general manager of the UK division of Scale AQ, which owns Moen Marin, said: “It is great to see that Scottish aquaculture will get its first hybrid electric vessel. And I believe and hope that this is just the beginning.”

Mull-based Inverlussa currently has 11 of its own vessels in operation, along with three leased vessels.

The 15th vessel in its fleet, the 35-metre de-lousing vessel Camilla Eslea, is due for delivery from Netherlands shipbuilder Nauplius Workboats in June.

That will be followed by the hybrid catamaran from Moen Marin, and then in 2022 by a 21-metre landing craft service vessel from Macduff Shipyard. That vessel will have a harbour battery pack, so that like the catamaran, no generator will be required overnight.

scale aq news moen marin inverlussa hybrid workboat