Ocean-based aquaculture relies on wellboats for critical operations, including the transportation, harvesting, and treatment of fish. However, traditional diesel-fueled vessels increase the carbon footprint of farming operations at a time when sustainability and reducing emissions is a key priority across the entire value chain.
One way of reducing wellboat emissions is to explore alternative power sources. A new innovation in this area is now poised for development, with the announcement that work will soon get started on a new ammonia-fuelled wellboat by partners North Salmon Service and HAV Group's ship design business.
The Nova Sea co-owned wellboat company and the Norwegian ship design firm have joined forces, having secured financial support from Enova to conduct a six-month preliminary project to develop the wellboat.
"Zero emission vessels are the future for all ocean-based industries. We look forward to collaborating with North Salmon Service to realise their exciting wellboat plans and pave the way for zero emission shipping in the fish farming industry," said Gunnar Larsen, CEO of HAV Group.
The vessel will be equipped with a dual-fuel engine capable of sailing with ammonia as fuel. The intention is also that the vessel will be outfitted with the most advanced equipment available in order to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Ammonia (NH3) is considered a promising option in development of next-generation fuels for shipping, because it does not emit carbon dioxide during combustion. It can be produced from renewable sources, making it a potential green fuel for the maritime sector.
HAV Group, an international provider of technology and services for maritime and marine industries, will design the vessel. The idea is to optimize the vessel to carry out wellboat operations while ensuring maximum utilization of green fuels.
To achieve this, the two project partners will each bring their specialist competence to the table, including operating profiles for ships and operational know-how for wellboats.
"As wellboat operator we have a strong desire to contribute towards limiting our climate and environmental footprint associated with production of salmon," said Arnt Erling Paulsen, managing director of wellboat company North Salmon Service.
"That is why we want to assess the possibility of developing a wellboat that through use of ammonia as ship fuel could have zero emission potential," he explained.
North Salmon Service and HAV Group's ship design business will together identify technologies and subcontractors that can contribute toward the long-term target of building an ammonia-fuelled wellboat.
HAV's sister company HAV Hydrogen could be a potential cooperation partner for the preliminary project, the companies said. HAV Group's subsidiary HAV Design AS is North Salmon Service's cooperation partner for the project.
