SalmoNor in industry hydrogen workboat first

SalmoNor is preparing to build the aquaculture industry’s first hydrogen-powered workboat.

The family-run salmon farmer, now part of the NTS group, said a final decision on the investment will be made by the end of June. The cost has not been disclosed.

It confirmed that the technology and bunkering concept – the process of refuelling the vessel – is now fully developed, and ready for construction.

SalmoNor said: “An industrial consortium led by MOEN Verft, has with support from Enova developed and designed a safe and secure 14.99 metre long and nine metre wide catamaran.

“If the board approves the investment, SalmoNor will be the first fish breeder to use an offshore hydrogen vessel.”

Technical manager Roger Eiternes, outlined the thinking behind the project. “For us, it is important to reduce the footprint of our business, and reduced use of fossil fuels is an important part of this,” he explained.

Eiternes has led SalmoNor’s participation in the project on the ready-to-build concept, which houses a fuel cell of 145 kW and has a storage capacity of 120 kilos of hydrogen in four separate tanks.

The boat (pictured) has two electric propulsion engines of 105 kW, a battery pack of 276 kWt and is also equipped with a 40 ton crane.

Development and design is done in collaboration between Moen Marin, Marin Design and MOEN Verft. The boat will be built at the yard’s facility at Kolvereid in Nærøysund.

Roger Eiternes added: “During the one-year development project, the boat has become larger than originally planned, based on specifications from us and requirements from the Norwegian Maritime Directorate.

“We are satisfied with the ready-to-build design and have great faith that the boat will reduce our fuel costs and the footprint from our salmon production on the Namdal coast.”

If the project receives the green light, construction will start in the autumn and the vessel should be operational before the end of next year.

 

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