First mission accomplished for Scotland's biggest wellboat

Scotland’s largest salmon farming wellboat, the 93-metre Inter Alba, has successfully completed its first work period for Mowi Scotland, performing combined freshwater and FLS delicing treatment, owner operator Trident Aqua Services announced today.

The Inter Alba, which has a well capacity of approximately 6,500 cubic metres, was delivered from Sefine Shipyard in Turkey in December 2025.

Designed by Salt Ship Design AS, the vessel focuses on fish welfare, careful handling, and high biosecurity standards. It features a substantial battery pack which, in combination with a heat-recovery system and other efficiency measures, significantly reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions. 

Large freshwater capacity

The fish-handling system was delivered by MMC First Process, and the vessel is equipped with an industry leading freshwater production system capable of producing 15,000m³ of freshwater per day. A large-scale reverse osmosis plant delivered by Peter Taboada enables this production.

“We are very proud to see Inter Alba delivered from the shipyard and going directly into successful operation in Scotland,” said Trident chief executive Arild Aasmyr.

“This vessel represents an important milestone for our company and further strengthens an already broad and well-balanced fleet. In Scotland, we operate a diversified range of vessels across different segments, capacities and sizes, allowing us to tailor our services to the specific needs of our customers. Inter Alba adds significant capacity at the high end of this portfolio and underlines our long-term commitment to the Scottish market.”

Combination treatment

Equipped with high-capacity freshwater treatment, including FLS delousing systems supplied by Flatsetsund Engineering, Inter Alba can perform gentle combination treatment to strengthen Mowi Scotland’s ability to manage biological challenges such as sea lice and Neoparamoeba perurans, the parasite responsible for amoebic gill disease (AGD).

N. perurans is a naturally occurring marine amoeba that has become increasingly prevalent in Scottish waters due to rising winter sea temperatures. Freshwater treatments beneficially change the osmotic balance, effectively and naturally managing the condition, by bursting the amoeba.

In addition, the Inter Alba features a high-capacity filtration system capable of filtrating 52,800m³ of water per hour, enabling efficient filtration and removal of sea lice and particulates.

'Delivering as intended'

“This vessel represents an important enhancement to our operations,” said Ben Hadfield, Mowi’s chief operating officer for farming in Scotland, Ireland, the Faroes, and Canada East.

“The freshwater treatment capacity strengthens our ability to manage fish health, welfare, and survival, while also supporting consistent product quality. It is very positive to already see Inter Alba in operation and delivering as intended, contributing to more efficient and predictable day-to-day operations.

“The vessel vastly reduces the need for licensed veterinary medicine use in salmon aquaculture, which is demonstrating Mowi's ongoing focus on minimising medicine use and promoting natural solutions and the highest standard of fish welfare.”

Trident was formed in 2025 through the merger of FSV Group, Intership and Aquaship, and is the world’s largest supplier of vessel services for the aquaculture industry.