Optimism about the future is reflected in the order books of Norwegian shipyards.
In a class of its own, the world’s biggest wellboat, the 116-meter long ‘Ronja Storm’, is currently under construction at Havyard Ship Technology. The price tag for this titan is € 54m.
The order came from CEO Roger Halsebakk of the shipping company Solvtrans on behalf of the Australian marine farming customer Huon Aquaculture.
Solvtrans also has the ‘Ronja Diamond’ under construction at Myklebust Mekaniske Verksted.
Option
Also being built at the same yard is DESS Aquaculture Shipping’s first wellboat under the SALT 425 FHV design. This vessel, when completed, is already locked into a long-term agreement with Marine Harvest. DESS Aquaculture Shipping has the option on a similar vessel at the same shipyard, according to an order overview compiled by Maritimt Magasin.
Marine Harvest owns 50 percent of DESS Aquaculture Shipping.
A wellboat (as yet unnamed) is being built for the Rostein shipping company at its own shipyard, Larsnes Mekaniske Verksted.
Letter of intention
Another shipbuilder in north-western Norway, Fiskerstrand Verft, is currently building the ‘Gaso Freya’ for the Helge Gaso-controlled Froy Rederi.
Napier has a letter of intention for the building of two slaughter/processing vessels at Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted. Only one has been given a name so far: the ‘Taupo’.
Vard Aukra is building a well boat for Fjordlaks Aqua, in the Vard 850 design. The Icelandic company Laxar Fiskeldi and Marine Harvest each have orders in for vessels of the same design.
€ 320m
Based on the published prices and price estimates for comparable vessels, the total investment framework for these vessels is close to € 320m, according to Salmon Business’ calculations.
Another experienced wellboat shipyard, Aas Mekaniske Verksted at Vestnes in Romsdal, recently delivered the newly built ‘Steinar Olsen’ to Nova Sea at Lovund. This vessel is not included in the aforementioned calculations.
Neither is the Haugland group and Sekkingstad’s new slaughter/processing boat, which is currently being built in Spain on behalf of the Finnish Wärtsilä shipyard group.
