Leading wellboat operator Sølvtrans has contracted two new battery hybrid wellboats with a capacity of 3,000 cubic meters from Aas Mekaniske on Vestnes.
Robin Halsebakk, CEO of Sølvtrans, commented, “Our customers demand vessels that ensure good fish welfare with efficient and gentle fish handling systems, as well as the lowest possible environmental and climate impact. I am proud to announce that we have now invested in two new state-of-the-art battery hybrid wellboats specialized for smolt transport.”
The vessels are equipped with Sølvtrans’ patented system for smolt loading to ensure efficient sorting and accurate counting. They also feature large battery packs combined with specially designed engine packages to minimize environmental impact and emissions, said Joakim Kjølleberg, Head of Energy at Sølvtrans.
“Based on our experience with the existing smolt fleet, we have been able to tailor the setup to the operational profile the boats will have,” Kjølleberg added.
With these two new vessels, Sølvtrans’ smolt fleet will consist of six specialized vessels and 90 seafarers with special expertise in smolt transport, led by Terje Kongstøl Vik.
Sølvtrans has had a close partnership with Aas Mekaniske on Vestnes since its inception in the 1990s. These will be the 40th and 41st vessels built by Aas for Sølvtrans since the company started.
