Salmon farmer Bakkafrost adds Scottish-built workboat to fleet

Salmon farmer Bakkafrost Scotland has taken delivery of a new 24-metre workboat, the Turas a ‘Bhradain (Gaelic for ‘the salmon’s journey’).

Bakkafrost Scotland, which expects to harvest 30,000 gutted weight tonnes of fish this year, commissioned the £2.6 million vessel from the Macduff Shipyards in Aberdeenshire. It is the first of two near-identical bespoke vessels being built by the yard for the business.

The Turas a 'Bhradain will operate across Bakkafrost Scotland’s sites on the west coast and Hebrides and has been delivered following a year-long construction period.

From mid-July, the Turas a ’Bhradain will be operate alongside Bakkafrost Scotland’s wellboats Ronja Star and Ronja Fisk, playing a key role in fish health by preparing the pens for the wellboats to carry out freshwater treatments.

Freshwater treatments

The 4,000m³ Ronja Star, currently the largest-capacity wellboat in Scotland, joined the Bakkafrost Scotland fleet in November last year on a long-term charter from wellboat operator Sølvtrans, and has been specifically built to handle fish with care, while increasing biosecurity in line with Bakkafrost Scotland’s sustainability strategy, which will see an increase in the use of freshwater treatments across all its marine sites on the west coast of Scotland.

Bakkafrost Scotland managing director Ian Laister said: “By commissioning the Turas a ‘Bhradain and the second workboat from Macduff Shipyards we have been in a position to support approximately 250 jobs at the yard which will hopefully help the business to continue investing in young people, where they are typically hiring 10-12 apprentices annually.

“Bakkafrost Scotland are committed to investing in an environmentally sensitive manner and in local communities by actively awarding contracts where possible to local businesses. This deal is important to us and integral to our plan for responsible growth.”