‘Super’ wellboat arrives in Faroe Islands

The 109-metre long wellboat Bakkafossur has become the latest addition to the Bakkafrost Faroes fleet after a long voyage from the Sefine shipyard in Turkey.

At a reception at the company headquarters at Glyvrar with Bakkafrost board members and senior management, Aksel V. Johannesen, prime minister of the Faroe Islands and other government representatives welcomed the ship (pictured) and its crew members.

Construction of the high-tech vessel began in the summer of 2020 and was completed last month when Bakkafrost took delivery.

The Bakkafossur can carry up to 1,000 tonnes of live salmon, representing a significant upgrade for Bakkafrost’s capability.

In addition to the five diesel-electric engines, the vessel is equipped with large batteries, ensuring an approximately 20% increase in energy efficiency.

The placement of the engines on the top deck secures the opportunity for a swift change to sustainable energy solutions when these become available.

Equipped with reverse osmosis technology for desalination of water, with a daily production capacity of 6,000 tonnes of freshwater, the Bakkafossur adds significant freshwater treatment capacity to Bakkafrost’s operations in the Faroe Islands.

The company said treating salmon with freshwater is an efficient way to rinse the gills, restore gill health and ensure more robust and healthy growth. In addition, Bakkafossur will be equipped with an FLS sea lice removal system, increasing biosecurity in line with Bakkafrost’s sustainability strategy. The vessel is also equipped for offshore farming.

Bakkafrost CEO Regin Jacobsen said at the reception: “We need to see an increase in the supply of sustainable protein. Aquaculture and salmon farming in particular is regarded as one of the best solutions for sustainable food production when considering sustainability in the broadest sense. The Faroe Islands offer many opportunities – thus it is of vital importance that the will, skills and regulations facilitate the utilisation of these opportunities. “

He said the company had taken a huge step forward towards sustainable operations and offshore farming, adding: “Our vision for the Faroe Islands is to increase our production output significantly to increase the general supply of sustainable ocean food, contributing to the sustainable transformation of the world’s food system.”