The last and biggest of four newbuild wellboats for Sølvtrans, left, will have the same cooling system as the smaller vessels. Illustration: Kongsberg/Myklebust Verft.

Fourth wellboat contract in a row for Hydroniq Coolers

Norwegian shipbuilder Myklebust Verft has awarded Ålesund-based Hydroniq Coolers a contract to deliver the company’s hull-integrated seawater cooling system to the fourth wellboat in a row the yard is building for Sølvtrans.

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Marine cooling systems are utilised to reduce temperatures in the ship’s engines and other auxiliary systems through use of seawater to avoid overheating.

“Four newbuilds in a row demonstrate Sølvtrans’ ambitions and Myklebust Verft’s ability to deliver. We consider it a mark of quality to be chosen as subcontractor to the fourth wellboat in a row,” said Hydroniq Coolers sales manager Magnar Kvalheim in a press release.

Magnar Kvalheim: "We consider it a mark of quality to be chosen as subcontractor to the fourth wellboat in a row." Photo: Hydroniq Coolers.

25% more capacity

The newbuild is the fourth and biggest in a series of wellboats that Myklebust is building for Sølvtrans, the world’s biggest wellboat operator. The design is based on Kongsberg NVC 390 LFC and developed in close dialogue between Sølvtrans, Kongsberg and Myklebust. Delivery of the vessel will take place in the fourth quarter 2022.

While the first three vessels in the series have a storage capacity of 4,000 cubic metres, the latest newbuild will have a capacity of 5,000m³ of live salmon or trout. The vessel will be 92.5 metres long and 20 metres wide.

Efficient technology

Hydroniq Coolers will equip the wellboat with its Rack seawater cooling system, which is integrated in the hull below the vessel’s main engine room, freeing up space in the engine room.

“We know that the Rack seawater cooler is well suited for vessels that operate with large loads and at low speeds, such as for example wellboats,” said Kvalheim. “The technology is also highly energy efficient, which is positive with regards to keeping operating costs and emissions to air as low as possible.”

Hydroniq Coolers is owned by Norwegian investment company SMV Invest AS (formerly Sperre Mek. Verksted AS).