Project launched to design ‘zero emission’ wellboat

Norwegian wellboat company North Salmon Service and ship designer HAV Design are to look at developing an ammonia-fuelled wellboat after being awarded financial support from government agency Enova to conduct a six-month preliminary project.

“As a wellboat operator we have a strong desire to contribute towards limiting our climate and environmental footprint associated with production of salmon. That is why we want to assess the possibility of developing a wellboat that through use of ammonia as ship fuel may have zero emission potential,” said North Salmon Service managing director Arnt Erling Paulsen.

The vessel will be equipped with a dual-fuel engine capable of using ammonia as fuel. The intention is also that the vessel will be outfitted with the most advanced equipment available to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

“We will together with North Salmon Service develop a wellboat concept that sails as effectively as possible, with associated reductions in emissions and operating costs,” said Jan Magne Goksøyr, vice president sales at HAV Design.

Long-term target

HAV Design is one of four companies within the HAV Group, which is based in Fosnavåg in western Norway and is a leading designer of zero-emmission solutions for a variety of vessels. It will design the wellboat and optimise it technologically to carry out operations while at the same time ensuring maximum utilisation of green fuels.

North Salmon Service and HAV Design will together identify technologies and subcontractors that can contribute towards the long-term target of building an ammonia-fuelled wellboat. HAV Design’s sister company HAV Hydrogen could be a potential cooperation partner for the preliminary project.

Ammonia is interesting as a ship fuel because it is easy to compress and store as a liquid, and thus a suitable medium for bunkering on board ships. The maritime industry already has extensive experience with ammonia as cargo and refrigerant. Another advantage is that many ports worldwide are already equipped for ammonia trade, which reduces the need for infrastructure investments.

“We look forward to collaborating with North Salmon Service to realise their exiting wellboat plans and pave the way for zero emission shipping in the fish farming industry,” said Goksøyr.

North Salmon Service, which is owned by PH Invest Herøy, Nova Sea and Salten Aqua, today operates two wellboats for Nova Sea, Salten Aqua and other associated customers. HAV Design said North Salmon Service’s customers have sustainable food production as one of their core values and they take a proactive approach to limit their environmental footprint.

HAV Design is a subsidiary of HAV Group ASA.