“Investment in new vessels with a greener footprint will enable our farmers to operate even more sustainably, regardless of the weather, and generate highly paid, highly skilled jobs, and prosperity in our rural and coastal communities,” says Salmon Scotland CEO.
Scottish workboat operator Inverlussa Marine Services has awarded a multi-million pound contract to Macduff Shipyards for the design and construction of a new 25-metre hybrid workboat.
The announcement, witnessed by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes at Macduff Harbour, is expected to create six additional jobs within Inverlussa Marine Services, bringing the total number of employees to 140.
MacDuff Shipyards, known for designing and fabricating vessels for aquaculture and fishing, will undertake the construction of the new vessel, expanding Inverlussa Marine Services’ fleet to 23 vessels.
The vessel will operate with a crew of six and is expected to be operational by the third quarter of 2025. It will support salmon farms off the west coast of Scotland, as well as in Shetland and Orkney.
The vessel will feature advanced seakeeping capabilities, upgraded crane capacities, and larger towing and heavy-duty winches, enhancing the firm’s salmon farm mooring, grid handling, and net lifting capacity. It will also include five ensuite cabins with a focus on noise reduction for crew comfort during 24-hour operations.
Equipped with a hybrid battery pack, the vessel’s engines will meet the International Maritime Organization’s Tier 3 emissions standards, achieving an 80% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions compared to Tier 2.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes stated, “Inverlussa’s latest vessel will bring more high-quality jobs to Scotland while harnessing green technologies to support our net zero ambitions.”
Ben Wilson, managing director of Inverlussa Marine Services, highlighted the importance of the new vessel in providing greater capacity to the Scottish salmon sector and supporting sustainable operations.
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“As well as providing a much-needed boost to the Scottish shipbuilding industry, the addition of this vessel to our fleet will provide even greater capacity to our thriving Scottish salmon sector and provide increased capacity and capability in supporting salmon farming operations to operate as efficiently and sustainably as possible,” he said.
“The fact that this contract signing was attended by Scotland’s Deputy First Minister shows the importance our sector has to the Scottish economy, and to the many local communities that benefit from salmon farming. Inverlussa wants to provide added value to the Scottish aquaculture sector, and our continuing investment in our company, vessels and people shows how we are committed to providing the best customer service.”
John Watt, managing director at MacDuff Shipyards, expressed gratitude for Inverlussa’s trust and noted the shipyard’s investment in facilities and staff to support the growing aquaculture industry.
