Norway’s Nordlaks says building world’s first LNG wellboat

Norwegian salmon producer Nordlaks says it is building the world’s first wellboat equipped with liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion and a battery pack.

The wellboat, developed by Norway’s NSK Ship Design, will carry live salmon and trout for Nordlaks.

According to a Nordlaks statement, the vessel will be built in Turkey at Tersan Shipyard and is expected to be delivered in February 2020.

The company did not reveal the price tag of the vessel.

The wellboat will be 84 meters long and 19 meters wide and will have the capacity to carry over 600 tonnes of live salmon.

Water quality, fish welfare and the environment have been the focus in the development process of the vessel, the statement notes. The wellboat is also designed to operate at aquaculture facilities in more exposed waters, such as Nordlak’s future Havfarms.

This will be Nordlak’s second wellboat as it is boosting its production capacities. The company chose LNG propulsion as it provides “significant environmental and climate benefits,” as well as reduces the operating and maintenance costs.