Salmon sector services provider orders four new vessels
Agreement is the biggest ever contract for both AQS and shipbuilder Salthammer
Norwegian fish farming marine services company AQS has awarded a contract to Salthammer Båtbyggeri AS for the construction of four state-of-the-art service vessels.
It is the largest ever contract for either company, and represents a major milestone in AQS’s long-term fleet renewal and growth strategy.
The newbuild programme comes in addition to two vessels currently under construction at the yard, both scheduled for delivery in 2026. The four new vessels, yard numbers 161, 162, 163, and 164, will be built entirely at Salthammer’s shipyard in Vestnes, Norway.
Designed by Tomra Engineering AS, the vessels are of the Coastern 28 zH type, measuring 28 metres in length with a beam of 12.6 metres. The design is the result of close collaboration between owner, designer, and shipyard, and builds on proven solutions from ongoing projects. The programme emphasises standardisation, energy efficiency, and operational robustness for demanding maritime environments.
Standardised solutions
“This contract represents our largest investment to date in a long-term newbuild programme and is a key step in our strategy for continued growth as a leading provider of high-tech maritime services,” said AQS chief executive Robert Hundstad.
“By leveraging proven, standardised solutions backed by decades of operational experience, we are delivering vessels that combine high safety standards, strong operational performance, and an excellent working environment. This ensures reliability and predictability for our customers, crews, and stakeholders.”
The vessels will be equipped with fully electric propulsion systems, significant battery capacity, and shore power connectivity. The design also allows for future energy solutions, supporting AQS’s ambition to transition towards a more sustainable and low-emission fleet.
Stronger quality control
“Building a series of vessels based on ongoing projects enables us to fully capitalise on experience gained from earlier deliveries,” said Kim Aakervik, chief technical officer of AQS.
“Serial production strengthens our control over quality, cost, and technical solutions, while allowing continuous improvement in safety, efficiency, and crew welfare.
“These vessels are purpose-built to meet the evolving demands of our operations and the wider market.”
Heavy-lift cranes
The vessels are tailored for 24/7 operations within the aquaculture sector and will feature high-capacity deck equipment, heavy-lift cranes, strong towing capability, and advanced solutions for crew safety, comfort, and working conditions.
Salthammer Båtbyggeri managing director Lasse Stokkeland said the agreement with AQS highlights the value of close collaboration between shipowner, designer, and shipyard.
“This is the largest contract in our history and provides a strong foundation for the continued development of our yard and Norwegian shipbuilding. We look forward to building on our successful partnership with AQS in the years to come.”
