Inverlussa orders its biggest vessel to date for Mowi Thermolicer contract
Inverlussa Marine Services have agreed a five-year contract with Mowi Scotland to build and operate a 35m x 14.5m vessel that will house a twin line Thermolicer.
The vessel will predominantly cover Scotland and Ireland with the option to deploy to Mowi’s other farming regions as required, Mull-based Inverlussa said in a press release.
Construction is due to begin later this summer at Nauplius Workboats in the Netherlands. The boat is due for completion in June 2021, and on arrival will increase Inverlussa’s fleet to 15 vessels.
250 tonnes per hour
The twin line Thermolicer will have a throughput of up to 250 tonnes per hour, with salmon being passed through lukewarm water to quickly remove and collect sea lice.
The high throughput rate reduces salmon crowding/handling time, which improves fish welfare and also enables Mowi to move towards larger diameter pens.
As part of the treatment system the vessel will accommodate an oxygen generator and a heat recovery system for the water used in the Thermolicer process.
Dynamic positioning
The treatment equipment, as well as the Azimuth propulsion system, will be powered fully by a diesel-electric power system to increase the vessel’s efficiency and flexibility.
The ship has been designed with dynamic positioning to enhance manoeuvrability and operation of the vessel at the salmon cages.
Accommodation onboard will be finished to a high standard to ensure comfortable and quiet living conditions for the marine crew accompanied by two Mowi technicians in six cabins.
Larger pens
Mowi Scotland operations manager Don MacLeod said: “This is a very important project for Mowi as we advance our sea lice management systems on to a high capacity thermal system that will broaden our options as we move into larger pens that contain larger fish biomass in each.”
Ben Wilson, managing director at Inverlussa Marine Services, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Mowi Scotland and we are delighting to build on our partnership with the construction and operation of this new ship.
“She will be the largest vessel in our fleet and will bring an additional service that our company can offer. We continue to invest in the best vessels and crew for our customers.”
The new ship will be the first Inverlussa vessel over 24m <500 gross tonnes and will be classed to Lloyds Special Service.
The ship continues the company’s strategy of investing in the most modern and advanced vessels. In January Inverlussa took delivery of a 21m workboat, the Helen Rice, from Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow and will add a second Ferguson-built ship to its fleet later this year.
